Man killed by mob

A young soccer player of Muwaweni Lucky Stars was beaten to death by a lynch mob last Wednesday (2 August). His friend was also seriously injured and is still fighting for his life in Elim hospital. The two were apparently pointed out as suspects in a case where a community member was allegedly poisoned.

Murunwa Tshishonga (24) was confronted by a group of people at Muwaweni last week. The mob beat him with different objects and he was then set alight. He and a friend were accused of being responsible for the death of a community member who had allegedly died after drinking poisoned beer.

Murunwa’s friend was also beaten and set alight, but he survived by running away. At the time of our going to press he was still in Elim hospital.

From what could be established, a community meeting was held in Muwaweni and it was apparently decided during the meeting that members of the community would take the law into their own hands, in an effort to curb the spiralling crime in the area. Members of the community then started to search for suspects around the villages.

A family spokesman, Mr Thabelo Tshishonga, was overwhelmed with grief. “I am saddened and I am in a state of shock. I do not have any idea as to what could have happened,” he said. Tshishonga said that the family now relied on the police to arrest the people who had murdered his younger brother.

Residents said that the community had taken the law into their own hands because the police were not doing their job. “Our community is sick and tired of the police arresting criminals and then, within weeks, they are released,”' said a resident.

The spokesperson for the SAPS in Limpopo, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said that he was concerned about the fact that the community had taken the law into their own hands. “We are always discouraging the community from taking the law into their own hands. If a crime is committed, the community should call the police and let the officers do their jobs. People should take into consideration that taking the law into their own hands is a downright criminal offence,” he said.

Tshishonga will be buried on Saturday at Muwaweni. The service will start at 06:00.

News - Date: 13 August 2017

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Email: [email protected]