Four men were killed in what police suspect to be a vigilante attack in Khayelitsha. Image: SA Police.
(The Post New)– Bodies of four individuals were found in the Enkandla informal settlement, Harare, Khayelitsha, in what is suspected to be a vigilante-style attack. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened a murder inquiry and strongly condemned the incident.
The neighbourhood was in shock after several violent incidents occurred early Monday morning, resulting in authorities being on high alert. Shortly after midnight, officers were initially dispatched to the scene, according to police spokeswoman Colonel Andrè Traut. “Police responded to a complaint of murder, where they discovered the body of a male burnt beyond recognition,” stated Colonel Traut.
While Khayelitsha officers were busy cleaning up the first crime scene, they received word of a horrifying second discovery nearby: the remains of two additional males who had also been severely burned. Around two in the morning, another occurrence happened that might be connected. A 30-year-old man who had been stabbed many times was found dead by police. Medical staff pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Colonel Traut underlined that the murders exhibit every characteristic of vigilante behavior. “It is illegal to take matters into one’s own hands, and it will not be accepted. In addition to undermining the rule of law, such actions incite unrest and anxiety in local populations,” he said.
Specialized units are searching the location for evidence as detectives look into the deaths. The SAPS has strongly urged residents in Khayelitsha to use legal channels to voice their concerns about crime and to abstain from vigilantism. “The SAPS remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in the province, and we appeal to communities to work with the police in building safer neighborhoods,” Traut added.
The police in Khayelitsha have urged anyone with information that could assist in identifying those responsible to come forward. Colonel Traut warned that the murderers will be prosecuted and be subject to the full extent of the law.
About the Author
