Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has welcomed the arrest of six men aged between 19 and 30 for charges relating to mob justice which occurred on Saturday, 18 April 2020, at Pienaar outside of Nelspruit, where 28 year Mthobisi Dlamini was fatally assaulted.
According to information received, on that fateful day, the suspects approached Dlamini, accusing him of stealing diesel at a certain house in Pienaar from a stationery truck which was parked in the yard. They then proceeded to assault and torture him despite him pleading for his innocence. Moments later he succumbed to his injuries and the suspects removed and dumped his body at a veld in Tekwane North.
Meanwhile, Dlamini’s family grew concerned as he did not return home on that day and decided to investigate his whereabouts. They were later informed that Dlamini had allegedly been kidnapped by a group of men.
They then decided to approach the suspects and enquired about Dlamini’s whereabouts however, the men denied ever seeing or being around him. They (family) then notified police about the matter and a case of kidnapping was opened.
An investigation into the matter immediately commenced and led to the arrest of a 27 year old suspect. Police continued with their probe, gathered information which led to the discovery of Dlamini’s body as well as the arrest of five other suspects.
The Provincial Commissioner has strongly condemned the actions of the suspects and urged community members to desist from taking the law into their own hands. “Mob justice will never be a solution to fighting crime. People should learn to let the law take its course as the community has a responsibility to report any criminal activities to the police. No one is above the law and we encourage communities to join structures such as the Community Police Forums (CPF’s) and work with their local Traditional Leadership with a clear purpose of addressing crime within their communities,” said General Zuma.
The 27 year old man is expected to appear at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court today, Wednesday 22 April 2020, on charges of kidnapping and murder. The other five suspects will appear at the same Court on Thursday 23 April 2020.
