Following a mob justice attack in Mothotlung on Thursday, February 17th, police in the North West are investigating three murder charges. A four-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl were discovered dead, and the neighborhood assumed their uncle was to blame.
Colonel Adele Myburgh of the South African Police Service (SAPS) said a 31-year-old man picked up his niece and nephew from their house in Extension 1, Mothotlung at 18:00 on Wednesday to purchase them food.
When the cousins’ children failed to come home, their mothers became concerned and filed a missing person’s complaint with the police in the early hours of Thursday morning, around 1:15.
Immediately, a search involving the police and the community was launched for the uncle and children.
The community members found the uncle first and did not notify the police. Myburgh said they allegedly assaulted and questioned the man until he pointed out where he left the children’s bodies.
They were found in bushes behind a church between Extension 1 and 2. Their throats were allegedly slit with a sharp object, said the police spokesperson.
“Subsequent to the gruesome discovery, members of the community took the law into their own hands by allegedly killing and setting alight the uncle aged 31, at about 10:00,” said Myburgh.
According to the police, the area is calm – at the moment – and the investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Members of the public with information that may be of assistance are encouraged to contact the investigating officer Warrant Officer Job Lehabe on 082-373-9814.