Five accused of SASSA card-related mob justice murders are in court

Two men were allegedly brought to a field and severely beaten by community members in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, after they denied knowing anything about the SASSA card of the deceased’s sister. One of the victims died as a result of the attack-related injuries.

Colonel Priscilla Naidu, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), stated that five suspects, comprising three men and two women, were arrested at their homes in Zwide in the early hours of Thursday, January 12. They are charged with murder and attempted murder and are appearing in court in New Brighton on Friday.

“It is stated that on January 7, 2023, the deceased’s sister discovered that her SASSA card and book were taken from her residence on Somfula Street in Zwide. “When her brother, Luwando Kana (31) and her cousin denied knowing about her cards, she informed the community,” Naidu stated.

Kana and his cousin were taken to a neighboring park and severely beaten with sjaboks, water pipes, and sticks by perhaps 30 members of the community who had arrived at the residence.

“They were later brought back, and the next morning, January 8, 2023, Kana was discovered dead in the residence. His 42-year-old relative sustained significant injuries and was transported to the hospital, according to a police spokesperson.

The Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, denounced the vigilante attack and stated that the community cannot take the law into their own hands, regardless of their anger.

“Vigilantism cannot be justified as a form of punishment for any individual. The community must refrain from assuming facts without first verifying them. Frequently, the community takes the law into its own hands, and no charges are filed against the alleged suspect(s), according to Ncata.

Two guys were detained in Cape Town for their alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of five males accused of committing crimes in the region.