The ten suspects, including a local school principal, were arrested on Sunday (18/5) after they accused Mpho Mokoena (27) of stealing electrical cables and food intended for the school’s feeding scheme. 

A group of community members forcefully took and transported Mokoena to the school premises in an unmarked private vehicle on Friday, with some alleged attackers reportedly impersonating police officials. “A targeted police operation was conducted in Maluti-a-Phofung, which led to the arrest of five men and five women, including the school principal,” said Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring.

“It is alleged that once at the school, Mokoena was handcuffed and allegedly assaulted with sjamboks in full view of some learners present at the time. Despite a learner reportedly attempting to transport the badly injured man in a wheelbarrow, Mokoena succumbed to his injuries outside the school premises.”

He was later found covered with blankets and declared dead by emergency medical services upon their arrival, and a case of murder was opened, he said.

It’s the second recent incident of mob justice in the Free State. The first was in Reitz when community members killed two brothers, one of whom was suspected of setting a shack on fire.

Siphamandla Miya was suspected of setting a shack alight, which resulted in the death of two children, a seven-month-old infant and an 18-month-old toddler.

The two children lost their lives on Saturday, 3 May, when their parents, Palesa Mngomezulu (23) and Ben Nhlapho (25) left their children and went out drinking. The parents were charged with child neglect and released on warning.

“Our appeal to our people is not to take the law into their own hands and to please allow the police to do their work,” said Free State Premier’s communication officer Nthabiseng Diphoko. “I wish to caution against mob justice, and I appeal to our communities not to take the law into their own hands.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh