Township mob beats car break-in suspect to death

A MAN was beaten to death by a mob in Ngangelizwe township after residents claimed they saw him breaking into a car.

Police spokesman LieutenantColonel Mzukisi Fatyela said the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning.

It is alleged they saw the deceased man breaking into someone’s car and confronted him.

Since March 2008 the Dispatch has reported on more than 20 mob justice incidents in Mthatha.

Last year a man was killed after he and five other gang members allegedly terrorised a community in Mthatha.

“No arrests have been made yet but we have instructed police to make arrests as soon as possible because we condemn such behaviour from our communities,” said Fatyela, adding the suspect died on the scene.

The police spokesman urged people to lock their cars when parking around town or in residential areas as car theft has been taking place more frequently around Mthatha.

Fatyela said over the weekend two vehicles were stolen in Mthatha but one was later recovered in Mqanduli. Other cases of mob justice include:

30 people were arrested for allegedly killing a man they accused of robbing a tavern in Bityi village.

In March this year, a group of women beat a man accused of trying to rape a child in Southernwood.

Last month two men were killed in Mzamomhle township outside Gonubie. The men were accused of abducting and raping a 13-year-old girl.

In other crime reported, a 20-yearold man was killed during a stick fight in Ngcobo on Monday night. Fatyela said no arrests had been made.

A Chinese national was found in possession of an illegal firearm in Ngcobo on Monday evening. The man was expected to appear in the Ngcobo Magistrate’s Court yesterday. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za