CAPE TOWN – Ward 108 councillor Nkosiphendule Lombi has urged community members not to take the law into their own hands, warning that such actions can lead to disorder and violence.
Lombi made the remarks following allegations that angry Shukushukuma shack dwellers attacked a suspected criminal and attempted to set him alight. The man survived the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment.
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Suspected thief attacked by community
It is alleged that two men had robbed a woman of her phone and tried to flee.
Community members reportedly caught one of the suspects, assaulted him, and later attempted to burn him. Lombi described the incident as “terrible” and acknowledged that crime remains a serious issue in the area.
“Regardless of what the suspect did, we do not condone people taking the law into their own hands. But, we want the law to take its course against anyone who breaks it,” said Lombi.
He also urged residents to work closely with the police.
Police investigating attempted murder
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the incident, stating that Mfuleni detectives are investigating a case of attempted murder following the incident, which occurred in Shukushukuma, behind Shoprite in Mfuleni, on Wednesday night (15 April).
Gwala said officers responded to reports and found an adult man covered with a black plastic bag. “He had multiple assault wounds on his body. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, and no arrests have been made yet,” she said.
