It has been yet another weekend of blood and mayhem in Limpopo as another five murders were committed in the province during the long weekend. The police in the province say they are worried after five people were killed following domestic disputes and mob justice incidents over the long weekend.  

THE MURDERS 

On Saturday 29 April 2023, Betty Hlabela (58) was found killed and her body burned beyond recognition at her home in Moletlane in Zebediela. Her charred remains were discovered inside a bathtub at about 1pm. A 34-year-old suspect was arrested after he was positively linked to the incident and charged with murder. In another incident that took place on the same day, A 30-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly stabbed and killed her 29-year-old boyfriend in Elandskraal in what seems to be a domestic dispute. As if that was not bad enough, a 55-year-old man from Thabampshe village in Ga-Masemola was arrested and charged with murder after he allegedly killed his niece's two-year-old son on Sunday.  Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspect allegedly came home late drunk and started a fight with his niece, who is the child's mother. "The uncle allegedly grabbed the child and smashed his head against the floor where he succumbed to the injuries on arrival at the hospital due to head injuries,' Ledwaba said. 

MOB JUSTICE 

In Shivulani village, Giyani, the police arrested a 36-year-old businessman after he shot and killed a man, he suspected of robbing his business on Saturday. After the murder, the angry community allegedly burned two spaza shops, a tavern and three vehicles belonging to the businessman." There is no justification whatsoever in acts of mob justice by members of the communities and the same goes for perpetrators of gender-based violence and perpetrators of such crimes will face the full might of the law, " added Limpopo acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Jan Scheepers. On Sunday 30 April, the police responded to a complaint of mob justice at around 7pm where community members at Mashau Thondoni, outside Levubu,assaulted an unknown man and burned him alive. "This after they accused the man of committing crimes in the area. Police appeal to anyone with information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspects involved in the mob justice incidents to contact the nearest police station or call the crime stop number 08600 10111."

POLICE CONCERNED  

Scheepers said it was concerning that people lost their lives in the most gruesome way following apparent domestic disputes. "Moreover, in cases of vigilantism, the lives of people who were suspected of having committed crimes were lost. We are concerned about cases of mob justice and gender-based violence that are mushrooming in the province and have ordered an immediate probe into all the cases. The suspects in all the cases are expected to appear before the respective Magistrates Courts soon.