Two killed in Cape vigilante attacks within 48-hours

Two people were beaten before they were doused in petrol and set alight after one of them was accused of breaking into homes at the Siqalo informal settlement near Mitchells Plain.

The latest incident occurred on Friday, just 48 hours after another man was found beaten and burnt to death.

According to report, Friday’s incident occurred when residents were woken by the sounds of someone attempting to break into a shack at around 5am. A cry for help saw residents move to apprehend the perpetrator.

“When (the suspect) was questioned it was found that he (lived in) Samora Machel. He ran from that side for whatever reasons and stayed with his friend here,” said the community leader, Sakhumzi Kakaza.

Kakaza said the suspected thief was found with a ring belonging to a woman whose home had been burgled the week before.

Hours later, police were called to the scene where the man was found burnt to death on an open field where residents threw away their trash.

“Philippi police attended a complaint on Friday, upon arrival at the scene in Siqalo informal settlement at around 8:45am, they found the burned body of an unknown person,” said police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.

“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”

Swartbooi said on October 5, police were called to an opened field along Weltevrede Road where another unidentified male was found burnt to death.

“The body of unknown male was half burnt and he had sustained visible wounds to his head. The suspect/s who fled the scene are still unknown and yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack is unknown,” he added.

Mitchells Plain’s ward councillor Elton Jansen said crime was out of control in the area and the mob justice attacks should push authorities to increase police visibility.

“It is sad that we are subjected to criminal activities week after week. I condemn it with the contempt it deserves.

“The provincial, national commissioners and the minister of police need to take this as a sign of (increased crime in informal settlements) and in Cape Town. We need to have more SAPS visibility,” said Jansen.

He further condemned the mob justice attacks.

Anyone with information about both incidents have been kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.