The state prosecutor says six suspects are still at large and are being sought by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Nine suspects are in custody after being nabbed by the police this week following the discovery of a body belonging to a teen who was reported missing three months ago. The suspects in custody face charges of murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice following a mob justice incident. The deceased teen was said to have been kidnapped, assaulted, and then died as a result of injuries sustained during the attack, allegedly at the hands of the suspects. The teen was accused of a crime in the community and the residents then took matters into their own hands.

OFM News previously reported that according to the Free State police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, the body which was dug up by the police is believed to be of one of the three African males that were kidnapped and assaulted by a group of people at the Caledon River on the Jammerdrift Farm on 24 September 2021. Of the three African males, only two were returned to their homes and the third one was last seen at the river, lying motionless. Covane previously explained the kidnapping is what can be regarded as an act of vigilantism, as the three victims were allegedly accused of committing robberies at foreign-owned stores in Qibing.

The state has added an additional charge of kidnapping in the case against nine residents who were nabbed for murder and defeating the ends of justice in Wepener this week. The state prosecutor told the Magistrate that a charge of kidnapping has been added to the docket.

OFM News