An angry mob burnt tyres and tried to force a man from his home in Picketberg Stree, Tafelsig, yesterday (20 October).The incident was in reaction to a burnt out body that was found in the area and the suspicion that the man in Picketberg Street was responsible. Crime watch groups report that the body was that of a young child but police say that has not been determined yet.

Lieut Col FC Van Wyk, the commander of the police’s provincial Media Centre, said that a post-mortem is still being conducted to determine the gender, age and cause of death.

“On Saturday, 17 October, at about 12:46 members received a complaint of a body that was found burning at the corner of Hugenote Street and AZ Berman drive, Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain. A murder case was registered for investigation. The body was burned beyond recognition,” Van Wyk said.

Mob reaction

Rumours that the victim was a child, and that the suspect lived in Picketberg Street, ran wild and angry residents barricaded the street with burning tyres before trying to force the suspect out of his home.

Police spokesperson Const Ndakhe Gwala said the man is in police custody. She said public order police were dispatched to the scene in Tafelsig.

“Public Order Police have been deployed in Tafelsig where a group of community members have gathered in protest against a murder suspect. The suspect is in police custody and police are monitoring the situation,” she said.

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