Three men were set alight and burnt to death in Isiqalo informal settlement over the weekend.
Provincial office spokesperson Col Andrè Traut said police have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of the bodies of three men in the settlement in Weltevreden Road in the early evening of Saturday 15 November.
“Preliminary indications suggest that the incident is linked to vigilantism,” Traut said. “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. No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances. Such actions undermine the justice system and fuel further violence,” Traut said.
READ MORE: Residents unhappy with court’s decision on Isiqalo
Elton Jansen mentioned the incident in his chairman’s address to the Sub-Council 17 meeting on Monday 17 November.
He said the victims were allegedly extortionists.
“I also want to condemn the senseless killings of the three individuals in Siqalo. I was told they allegedly went to collect protection money and as a result of that they were attacked and killed. I condemn those killings but we also must condemn bribery. We also must condemn the extortionist and extortion. It is very sad when a community takes the law into their own hands. It’s not right that they have to do that. It’s illegal. It’s criminal to kill somebody else. But the fact that they went to that extent to deal with blatant extortion, we call on the South African Police Services decisively.”
Government buildings targeted
Jansen also mentioned that his office at the Strandfontein Community Hall had been broken into last weekend.
“This is the second attempt at breaking in at my office,” Jansen said, adding that he had opened a case with the police.
The break in, which took place on Sunday 16 November.
ALSO READ: Strandfontein crime fighters welcome neighbourhood safety officers
“While I was in church, I got a message that there was an attempted break-in at my office. Fortunately, nothing was taken, but a lot of damage was caused,” Jansen said.
He said many government facilities are being targeted.
“Various government facilities, whether it’s local, national, or provincial, are being targeted and vandalised. And it’s sad that the very facilities that are there for the community, to help the community, to assist the community are being vandalised and are a target for criminal activity.”
Jansen said that office had been closed and he apologised for the inconvenience.
ALSO READ: Nobody arrested for Delft extortion murder yet
Guns retrieved
Over the weekend, police also recovered several guns and ammunition, six in just 36 hours.
On Saturday 15 November, law enforcement officers recovered the nine firearms including a revolver and three rounds of ammunition in Portland. A 19-year-old was arrested.
Other arrests and retrievals included:
- A 15-year-old arrested in Philippi East with a pistol and three rounds of ammunition
- A 9mm pistol in Hanover Park, and the arrest of a shooter, following a ShotSpotter alert
- A pistol and three rounds of ammunition in Brown’s Farm, with the detention of a 24-year-old
Metro Police officers recovered two firearms in Hanover Park – one on Saturday, and one on Sunday morning, resulting in the arrest of a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old.
ALSO READ: Report finds guns on Cape Flats were smuggled from Namibia
MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, thanked the police “for their continued vigilance” in retrieving the weapons.
Marais said: “I sincerely thank the brave and vigilant residents who came forward with information. You are vital partners in the effort to reclaim communities from criminal elements. I urge all residents to continue reporting illegal firearms and suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
ALSO READ: Triple murder rocks Gugulethu settlement amid rising extortion violence
