Another two youth have died after the mob justice incident in Zandspruit, northwest of Johannesburg – bringing the total number of deaths to eight. Police Minister Bheki Cele has visited Zandspruit and says he will return in three weeks with a report back.
Zandpruit made headlines earlier this week following the brutal murder of youth accused of terrorising the community.
It’s alleged that about 200 people from the informal settlement attacked a group of nine boys they suspected of robbing people in the area. The young men were then beaten up by angry residents and then set alight.
Four of them died on the scene, the other five people were seriously injured in the attack and taken to hospital where another four succumbed to their injuries.
Cele arrived in Zandspruit accompanied by Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Elias Mawela.
Locals told Cele that some police officers are involved in corrupt activities.
Police Spokesperson Kay Makhubele, “Early [that] morning, a group of about 200 people went to search for the boys who allegedly robbed the community members in Zandspruit area. Nine of them were found and were beaten up and set alight. Four of them died on the scene. The intelligence people are on the ground to gather information so that those who were involved will be brought to book.”
Initial arrests:
