Browns Farm residents resort to mob justice amid police inaction
The scene where a 27-year-old man was found burned in Browns Farm.
Image: Supplied
A fourth vigilante murder in the space of four months occurred in Browns Farm, Philippi, last week, with the body of a 27-year-old man found half naked and burnt.
Police were called to an incident at 4.45am on Thursday on the corner of Mbovane and Mnqaba Street, with police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk saying that Nyanga police registered a murder case following the discovery of the burned body of an unidentified male.
Van Wyk reported: “According to reports, SAPS members received a complaint of a body lying at the mentioned address.
“On arrival, they found the deceased, who was totally burned and naked. Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation.
“The deceased is a young male, approximately 27-year-old, and unknown. The motive is believed to be community assault.”
It is alleged that the suspect attempted to commit a house robbery, but was met by angered community members.
This is the fourth vigilante killing in Browns Farm since November and Ward Councillor Melikhaya Gadeni said these acts of mob justice have occurred as residents are tired due to the lack of policing resources within the area.
Gadeni explained: “There is a satellite office in Browns Farm, which is under resourced and understaffed, and what has happened in the past few months when we have extended an invite to SAPS to be a part of our thinking, they either had an excuse or don’t pitch to our meetings.
“This is concerning because we do not want the community to lose trust in the police.”
Van Wyk added: “The South African Police Service condemns vigilantism in the strongest possible terms. Acts of mob justice are criminal and pose a direct threat to the safety and stability of our communities.”
Cops have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigation to make contact with the police immediately.
Information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or through the MySAPS mobile application. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.