Sandiso Phaliso
At least 20 people have been murdered in revenge killings in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, since the beginning of August.
Twelve of the deceased were killed within a week, after they were accused of being responsible for stock-theft in different villages.
They were allegedly beaten with sticks, while some were set alight.
On 5 August, five members of the Mtshotana family were killed when their house was set alight, while they were trapped inside.
The slain family had been accused of taking part in the mob justice killing of the 12 men.
On 11 August, three family members were shot dead, and two others injured, in their house after being involved in an alleged drug war.
Chris Mtshotana, spokesperson for the Mtshotana family, said: “Losing five people in such a horrific manner is heartbreaking. This has to stop. No family should go through what we are facing right now.”
The Mshotana family members were laid to rest last weekend.
Thobani Nqadala, a social activist based in Ngcobo, said the police are not doing much to make sure perpetrators are arrested.
“We have appealed to the local station commander to intensify the police visibility and crime prevention units. But they are slow and are not engaging the communities in their plans,” Nqadala said.
The community fears that further bloodshed is looming as long as police are not arresting those responsible for the killings.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed all 20 of the murders, adding that investigations have indicated that they are linked to reported drug and stock theft cases.
“All the cases involving stock theft and drugs are under investigation. The community is therefore requested to please share information with investigators so that a breakthrough can be made in the cases,” he said.
Image source: dgmt.co.za
