The police ministry has admitted that its efforts to combat crime are lacking, but has urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
This follows an increase in vigilantism in parts of Limpopo in recent weeks.
According to Lirandzu Themba, a police spokesperson, Police Minister Bheki Cele attended a crime prevention imbizo in Jane Furse, Limpopo, on Friday.
During the engagement, residents from rural areas expressed their concerns and claimed that there was corruption among the participants.
To address shortcomings and improve service delivery, a cold case team will be formed and will report to the national detectives division. All cases that were closed prematurely will be reviewed by the unit.
In addition, the minister directed the Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service to compile a diagnostic report on the local police station.
“The report, which is expected to be submitted in two weeks,” Themba explained, “will serve as a guiding tool for SAPS management in the province, led by provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, to urgently address personnel, resource, and service delivery challenges at the station level.”
According to police reports, the three robbed a 23-year-old woman of her cellphone and other belongings at a local shopping plaza before attempting to kidnap her in full view of bystanders at a local shopping plaza. They abandoned her and drove away after she screamed for help.
“After the robbers crashed their getaway vehicle, members of the community pursued them and apprehended them. Two of the suspects were killed, and the third was apprehended and arrested by police. During the incident, the suspects’ car was also set on fire “Themba stated.
On Friday, another mob attack claimed the lives of two suspected thieves who allegedly stole a cellphone near a mall in the same policing area.
Those who participated in mob justice would be arrested, according to Themba.
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