BITYI, Eastern Cape – Four suspects, including a woman, are expected to appear in the Bityi District Court today in connection with a brutal mob justice incident that left two men dead and a third seriously injured.
The OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, has welcomed the arrest of the four suspects, adding that further arrests are imminent.
The arrests follow a violent attack on 7 April, when an angry group of community members accused three men of stealing electricity cables at Empa locality.
According to police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo, the victims were assaulted before being set alight on the roadside.
One of the men died at the scene, while a second succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital. The third victim survived and remains in hospital.
A coordinated police investigation led to the arrest of four suspects — three men and one woman, aged between 20 and 62 — during a planned raid on Thursday, 16 April.
The suspects are expected to appear in court facing two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Major General Modishana also issued a strong warning against mob justice and vigilantism.
“These actions are violent and unlawful. People who take part in such acts risk serious consequences, including life imprisonment,” he said.
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