Detectives from the Ivory Park SAPS have arrested two men on Thursday night, 22 October 2020, in connection with a mob justice related murder which took place in the early hours of the previous days.
The 24-year-old-victim, who is from Ivory Park Ext Two, was assaulted to death amid accusations that he had, in the company of three other unknown people, committed a business burglary at a local tavern.
The detective team, tasked with the investigation of murder within the Ivory Park policing precinct, started making contact with some stakeholders within the area. It was during these liaisons that they soon learnt that the victim was assaulted for allegedly stealing a television, liquor and money from the snooker, all of which are from this tavern.
The detectives further learnt that the victim, who is also from Ext Two in Ivory Park, was assaulted elsewhere, but later dumped at the place he was seen by the community. This may have something to do with the fact that he had died as a result of the beatings.
“Incidents of mob justice cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” said Brigadier David Ngcobo, the station commander of the Ivory Park SAPS. He said any law abiding member of the community should have, under the circumstances, opened a case and work closely with the police in bringing the alleged suspect to justice.
Brigadier Ngcobo said: “As things stand we don’t even know if this burglary exists, yet a life has been lost. This has to be condemned by all of the law abiding members of the community.” He called on the community to continue working with the police through the existing community-policing structures.
The two suspects, aged 31 and 34, are expected to appear in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court where they have to answer to a charge of murder. Even in light of this arrest, the Ivory Park detectives are hard at work to establish who else is involved in the murder as mob justice related incidents tend to involve more people as opposed to just two.
It is highly possible that more suspects may be added to this two as the investigation progresses.
Editor: This is a developing story with a total of 3 suspects being behind bars as at Sunday. The community was protesting at the Ivory Park Police Station on Sunday afternoon demanding the release of the community members arrested by the Ivory Park Police.
