Twelve community members aged between 19 and 62 have been arrested in connection with the brutal killings of four men and the severe assault of two others in Nana’s Farm, Lenasia, on Friday, 13 December 2024.
The victims, accused by the community of involvement in housebreaking and theft, were reportedly apprehended by a group of residents. The suspects are alleged to have assaulted and burned the six men, resulting in four deaths on the scene and two others being hospitalized in critical condition.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Mthombeni, strongly condemned the act of vigilantism, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the rule of law.
He said: “Taking the law into your own hands is a serious criminal offense and will not be tolerated. The community should apprehend suspects and hand them over to the police to allow the law to take its course. Assaulting and murdering people is criminal behavior, and the arrests of these individuals should serve as a deterrent.”
The arrested individuals face charges of murder and attempted murder. They are expected to appear before the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 17 December 2024.
The police have urged the public to work collaboratively with law enforcement to ensure justice is served through legal channels.
