By Masilo Malakwane
QWAQWA – Police in Namahadi village have launched a manhunt for mob justice vigilantes after three suspected criminals were killed and one left seriously injured.
According to a police statement, in the incident that took place on Sunday, at Sebokeng village at about 05:30 in the morning, police were notified about the discovery of the three bodies of Papi Motsapi, Lerato Mokoena and Moeketsi Petrus Noto lying in a pool of blood.
Police spokesperson in Thabo Mofutsanyana, Captain Phumelelo Dhlamini said the other two suspects who were also assaulted sustained serious injuries and were admitted to Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli hospital to receive medical treatment.
Dhlamini went on to warn the community to refrain from taking the law into their hands. “The three suspects were killed in an act of mob justice allegedly by the community members, after they were identified as suspects in various unsolved crimes where no suspects have been arrested yet,” said Dhlamini.
However, police are yet to confirm whether the three lynched murdered suspects are linked to a separate armed robbery incident that took place earlier that day, whereby a 68-year old Chinese national, Chick Kou Liu and his son Chia Hing Liu 35 were fatally shot inside their bottle store in the same village.
Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects are advised to contact Police Detective, Captain Lepholletsa Moloi on 0825675243.
