Six in court for Zandspruit mob killings

Six suspects are expected to appear in the Roodepoort magistrates on Monday in connection with a mob attack that left eight people dead in Zandspruit.

The community looks on as police and forensic pathologists clean the scene were four people were burned to death in Zandspruit. The writer asks how such ruthlessness can be allowed in this day and age.
The community looks on as police and forensic pathologists clean the scene were four people were burned to death in Zandspruit. The writer asks how such ruthlessness can be allowed in this day and age. (Thulani Mbele)

Six suspects are expected to appear in the Roodepoort magistrates on Monday in connection with a mob attack that left eight people dead in Zandspruit. 

Last week, nine men were taken to a sports field where they were assaulted by angry residents who accused them of committing a string of robberies. 

Four men died on the scene while four others died over the past four days from injuries they sustained during the attack. 

Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Kay Makhubele said the six suspects will be charged with murder, attempted murder and kidnapping. 

Police minister Bheki Cele visited the troubled township on Saturday where he said an urgent investigation would be instituted to look into allegations made by the community members who accused police of failing to prevent the attack. 

“There is no doubt police in this area have many challenges due to the ever-increasing population size and poor living conditions that impede on crime-fighting efforts, however some of the problems faced by the police are self-made.

"It’s really disheartening to hear that calls were made to the police while the youngsters were still alive but yet police vans took hours to respond, so that’s why I have tasked the provincial commissioner to get to the bottom of these claims and I expect answers in the coming days,” said Cele 

He said a police task team has been put together to look at other identified problems within the station as well as relook at all cold cases that have been dragging on with little to no conclusion.

Cele said he would return to the area in less than a month to provide feedback to the residents, on what has been done to improve the station's performance and service delivery. 


Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Comment icon