Qacha’s Nek, Nov. 20 — A 30-year-old man from Mohale’s Hoek, Koebunyane, has died in the holding cells of Qacha’s Nek Police Station following alleged mob justice before his detention.
The deceased, along with a 35-year-old companion from the same village, had been arrested for allegedly stealing 14 cows from Qhoalinyane. A third suspect remains at large.
Detective Inspector Thabo Setenane, head of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at Qacha’s Nek Police Station, told the Agency that the suspects were beaten by members of the public before being taken into custody.
“People took the law into their own hands and beat them. The suspects were taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon and taken to Machabeng Government Hospital, where they were treated as outpatients. Surprisingly, one was discovered dead this morning,” he said.
Detective Inspector Setenane called on communities to stop taking the law into their own hands, warning that mob justice carries dire consequences.
“There is no need to beat suspects. Let the police handle arrests and investigations. Mob justice can backfire, and those who were once victims could find themselves accused,” he said. . .
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