Cape Town - Just a few hours after the Cape Town High Court handed down life sentences to 14 suspects who were involved in the vigilante killing of six young men in Kraaifontein in 2014, three men were arrested in Harare, Khayelitsha for the vigilante killing of a man whose body was found on Baden Powell Road next to Monwabisi beach.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “Police arrested three suspects aged 26, 28 and 39-years-old for the murder of a 29-year-old man whose body was found on Wednesday, July 28 in Baden Powell Road next to Monwabisi beach with multiple wounds all over the body.
“Information we have says that the deceased was beaten to death by a group of people who accused him of stealing. Police immediately launched a manhunt for those who were allegedly involved with the assistance of informers.
“Two suspects were arrested a few hours after the incident and another suspect on Thursday morning. All three are being detained on charges of murder.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Western Cape High Court judge Chantal Fortuin sentenced 14 Kraaifontein vigilante suspects to life imprisonment for the murder and kidnapping of six young men on December 10, 2014, on a farm in Joostenbergvlakte.
The suspects are said to have stoned, stabbed and sjambokked the victims after suspecting them to be responsible for the death of a security guard.
Western Cape police provincial commissioner, Tembisele Patekile commended the efforts of the investigating officers and the prosecution team who all contributed to the hefty sentence handed down to the suspects.
Kraaifontein CPF secretary Mike Tafu said: “When we heard about the sentencing we immediately began circulating the news, hoping that it will act as a deterrent to vigilantism in our community.
“However knowing the situation in our sectors which are riddled with crime and violence I have to say I doubt this would have as much an impact as we would want. Taking a look at core issues and lack of resources being poured into our community is the only way we can address incidents of vigilantism.”
Kraaifontein community leader Zingisani Moepa Brazil said: “The sentencing of these people should act as an example for residents to not take matters into their hands, because at the end of the day there are consequences to what we do. Residents should rather opt to work with Saps, but also police must do the work they need to with diligence and urgency.”