Polokwane – Limpopo South African Police Service (SAPS) commissioner
Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba on Sunday again condemned the ongoing mob attacks
and domestic violence-related killings still prevalent in some parts of
the province.
This condemnation followed an incident in the Seshego policing area
at Polokwane on Saturday, spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said.
“It is alleged that a 30-year-old man attacked and chopped his wife
and a one-year-old child with an unknown sharp instrument at Seshego
Zone 6 before he fled the scene.”
The victims were taken to hospital for medical treatment by
members of the community, but the woman died on the way and the child
was still recuperating in hospital after being seriously wounded.
“Instead of calling the police, members of the community mobilised
themselves and hunted down the suspect until they caught him and
assaulted him with various objects to death,” Ngoepe said.
Police were eventually summoned to the scene and started with the
initial investigations and a search for the people involved in killing
the suspect.
“The motive behind the incident where a woman and child were chopped
is not clear at this stage, but domestic violence may not be ruled out.
Two cases of murder and attempted murder were opened. The suspects in
the mob killing are still unknown and there is no arrest,” Ngoepe said.
Ledwaba advised and encouraged members of the community to seek
assistance from the local authorities when they faced domestic
violence-related problems. This would help avoid such incidents in which
women and children were victimised and killed.
“[And] Community members must stop the tendency of taking the law in
their hands and those who are still participating in this irresponsible
acts will be dealt with accordingly and without compromise,” Ledwaba
said.
Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the group
involved in the killing of the suspect should contact Brigadier Lucas
Hlako on 082-443-8907, or the crime stop number 08600-10111 or the crime
line SMS 32211.
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