- A Bonteheuwel father, David Antonie, was allegedly killed by a mob after being accused of stealing tekkies.
- Videos of the attack have circulated, sparking calls from officials to stop sharing the footage.
- Police are investigating the incident, while community leaders emphasize the dangers of vigilante justice.
The public has been asked to refrain from distributing graphic videos of a Bonteheuwel man who was allegedly killed for stealing tekkies.
David Antonie, a father of three, was allegedly killed by a mob of angry residents after being accused of stealing tekkies during a housebreak.
In one video that was doing the rounds Antonie and another man could be seen being attacked by an angry mob that was hitting them with sticks.
Word on the street is that Antonie had bought the tekkies from the man who was with him in the video. Both were severely beaten, but Antonie did not survive the attack.
Sergeant Samantha Adonis, spokesperson for Bishop Lavis police, said she was on the scene where the deceased was found.
“At this stage I can just confirm we are investigating a murder, but nobody has been arrested.We are not speculating on a motive, because nobody said anything on the scene.”
Information needed
She was pleading with anyone to come forward with information that could assist the police in arresting the suspects.
Angus Mckenzie, local ward councillor, pleaded with the public not to share the video of the incident in which Antonie died.
“I have been made aware of a rather disturbing video that is part of series of videos of the murder of a 49-year-old man in Bonteheuwel,” he said.
“I would strongly request that the public refrain from sharing it. These videos are not only graphic, but also the victim and perpetrators are clearly visible, and this could and will place the case of murder against the suspects in jeopardy.”
According to Mckenzie, the murder was orchestrated by a group of angry residents who alleged the victim had broken into a home in Bonteheuwel.
“The details surrounding this gruesome murder are still being investigated, although early reports indicate some form of kangaroo court that has left a father, husband, brother and uncle dead. I visited the affected family this morning and have been in contact with the police with regard to this case. These actions are unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest fashion. We can never take the law into our own hands, irrespective of whether we think the system is broken and not working.”
Asked if the man was really killed because of tekkies, McKenzie said: “That is what I’ve heard.”