Following the brutal murder of a man who was allegedly killed in a mob justice attack at Kraaifontein Railway Station on Wednesday, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) today condemned vigilantism.
The group called the practice “barbaric, horrendous acts” which “undermine the rule of law.”
“It will only lead to lawlessness as well as a vicious cycle of violence,” said SANCO national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu.
According to Captain FC van Wyk, a provincial police spokesperson, Kraaifontein police attended to a complaint in 12th Avenue, Belmont Park on Wednesday night, where they found the body of a 28-year-old man with multiple injuries to his body.
Circumstances around the murder are still sketchy, but locals on a community safety Facebook page apparently claimed the deceased tried to rob a woman at the train station on Wednesday.
“ A case of murder is under investigation. No one has been arrested yet,” said Van Wyk.
Mahlangu urges communities to report crime to authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands.
“Urgent action needs to be taken to restore the confidence of communities in accountable community policing, to address increasing mob justice incidents. Quicker police response to distress calls, increased visibility and regular investigation progress updates to crime victims, will contribute towards restoring confidence in the criminal justice system,” he said.
