Mob Justice Costs 2 Lives, 6 Houses in Thyolo

There was commotion in Mverima Village in the area of Senior Chief Khwethemule in Thyolo on the evening of Saturday after relatives of two murdered suspected thieves set alight six houses of community policing members and other people.

It is alleged that the two dug a hole on one of the houses in the village where they stole goats and chicken.

Thyolo Police Officer in-Charge Ulemu Kaluwa has confirmed about the incident, saying the two suspects were caught and beaten severely on Friday and later died at Thyolo District Hospital.

Kaluwa said in retaliation, their relations have burnt down the houses and damaged several other properties for the perpetrators.

"After the death of the two, the relatives of the deceased started demolishing houses for the perpetrators. We have two cases, malicious damage and murder of which police are handling them professionally," he said.

He has then added that "I can see that there is a problem of understanding the justice system. So, I’m appealing all the stakeholders to join hands and go down sensitizing the communities on the dangers of mob justice."

Senior Chief Khwethemule has told Zodiak Online the commotion started after the burial for the bodies of suspected thieves.

"After that, relatives of the deceased started burning six houses and taken away property for the perpetrators. We hope after peace prevails, police will start following up," he said.

This is a second incident in a space of three months after some community members also demolished eight houses in Khonjeni area following the death of their relative at a drinking spree.

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