PORT ELIZABETH - POLICE STRONGLY CONDEMN 2 MURDEROUS VIGILANTE SLAYINGS IN NEW BRIGHTON

The criminal behaviour of the community of New Brighton in Port Elizabeth which led to the murder of two (2) men aged 23 and 29 years in separate incidents has been strongly condemned by the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape. A stern warning is issued to members of the community, not to take the law into their own hands.

It is alleged that the 23-year-old Sinethemba Gwatya was killed by a group of people on 29 July 2019 at Stofile Street, New Brighton. At about 12:20 police were alerted to a vigilante murder and upon arrival a group of people were found standing around the burning body of the deceased. Next to him, a burnt toy gun and rocks were found.

In another unrelated incident, the 29-year-old Mandla Charles Hashe was killed by a group of people this morning at the corner of Mbilini and Sidindi Streets, New Brighton.

On police arrival at 10:00 a group of people were found standing around the burning body of the deceased and they attempted to block the police members from approaching the deceased, but police managed to break through the crowd and secure the crime scene.

Both the deceased had injuries in their upper bodies and tyres were used to burn their bodies. At both scenes, no one was willing co-operate with the police and say who killed them.

Murder cases have been opened at New Brighton SAPS and further investigation is being conducted to establish the causes of the attacks.

“We strongly condemn violent and unlawful behaviour and urge the community to stand together and stop these illegal actions. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands and under no circumstances will we allow this to happen. Those responsible for these murders will be arrested and brought before court,” said the Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga earlier today.

via - SAPS