Community members mobilised after hearing gunshots and caught the three robbers, assaulted them and threw them into their burning vehicle.
Image: Phill Magakoe
Police in Limpopo have “strongly” condemned the brutal attack of three alleged business robbers by an angry mob of community members at Ga-Selepe in Mecklenburg policing area. One of the attacked suspects lost his life in an inferno.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the horrific incident occurred on Tuesday.
Ledwaba said provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has ordered the police to utilise the available resources to track and trace the community members involved in the brutal attack, and bring them to book.
“The preliminary investigations revealed that on Tuesday at about 9am a shopkeeper who is the victim was at his shop when a male pretending to be a customer pulled out a firearm and demanded money from him. The man forced the shopkeeper to his bedroom, while the other two suspects held the landlord hostage at knifepoint and also assaulted her,” said Ledwaba.
In the process, the shopkeeper was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money.
While fleeing the scene, the robbers allegedly fired two warning shots.
“The community members seemingly mobilized and responded quickly, and gave chase to the suspects. The three suspects were caught and brought back to their getaway vehicle, where they were set alight inside their vehicle,” said Ledwaba.
Police at Mecklenburg were notified about community members having apprehended alleged robbers, and were assaulting them.
When police arrived at the scene, they found three people inside the burning vehicle.
“Two suspects managed to come out of the vehicle with severe burn injuries,” said Ledwaba.
“Emergency medical personnel services were summoned to the scene, and they declared one suspect dead on arrival. The other two were taken to hospital for medical attention.”
Police in Limpopo are investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
Police have warned community members against taking the law into their own hands by attacking people suspected of being involved in criminal activities.
“Anyone with information that can assist in providing information about the suspects involved in this criminal conduct should contact Constable Khali Khoza contact number 071 389 6754, Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or use My SAPS App,” said Ledwaba.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL
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