Two dead, one critically injured in 'mob justice' attacks

Two people died and another was critically injured in three separate “mob justice” attacks in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.

According to police spokesman Andre Beetge, the incidents took place in Soweto-on-Sea in Kwazakhele.

The first incident occurred on Friday afternoon (18/08/2017) at the Jijana grounds, Soweto-on-Sea, when Phakamile Ayanda Khwesaba, 33, was attacked by about 100 people, stoned and set alight using tyres and flammable substances.

He was admitted to Dora Nginza Hospital in a critical condition with serious burn wounds.

The second incident happened on Sunday (20/08/2017) at 1.30pm when 20-year-old Siphesihle Kala was stoned and set alight using tyres and flammable substances in a street in the Jijana grounds.

Two hours later, the brother of Siphesihle Kala, Anele Kala, 23, was chased and stabbed to death by a group of attackers after he was spotted walking in a street close by the scene where his brother was killed.

According to Beetge, in all the incidents the community alleged that the victims were killed due to being house robbers, but none were prepared to formally give information.

Motherwell Cluster Commander Major General Dawie Rabie has ordered that the community structures be mobilised to actively engage with the community to discourage communities or individuals from taking the law into their own hands. Rabie said: "SAPS will prosecute those involved with vigilante attacks. Where communities identify criminals, they must give information to the SAPS in order for those criminals to be arrested and brought before court.”

Any person that could assist police in this investigation can contact the investigation officer, Warrant Officer Hilton Kemp at 079 445 8312.