POLITICS

"Residents' rage! People lost faith in cops as alleged thugs are killed" - Daily Sun

The front page and lead story of SA's largest daily newspaper, October 29 2013

Daily Sun (October 29 2013) - ANGRY people say they take the law into their own hands because they don't trust the cops to protect them. Questions are asked in parliament and the violence is condemned, but the brutality continues. AND ONCE AGAIN A DEAD MAN LIES WITH UNSEEING EYES ON THE COLD GROUND, A CAR TYRE OVER HIS HEAD.

"People have lost faith in the police and the justice system. When criminals get arrested they are back on the streets within a week. When we punish criminals ourselves, we feel satisfied," said Nokulunga Phika (34).

She was speaking to Daily Sun at the scene where a man had been beaten to death in section 2, Philippi, Cape Town. Apparently a man and two accomplices robbed a woman of cash and a cellphone. Two of the men managed to get away but the third wasn't so lucky.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said he was one of the people who chased and caught the dead man. "We are sending a message to would-be criminals that crime will lead to death," he said. The woman who was robbed refused to speak to Daily Sun, fearing the police might arrest her.

A second body was found at the railway tracks near Philippi Station on Friday. According to residents, the man was beaten by residents and dumped there.

"He robbed and he was killed by residents," said a man who refused to give his name.

Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk said cases of murder are being investigated. He said community members should not take the law into their own hands.

"By doing so they themselves become criminals and will be prosecuted," he said.

) An independent commission of inquiry was established by Western Cape Premier Helen Zille on 24 August 2012, mandated to investigate allegations of inefficiency by the Khayelitsha police.

The commission will hold its second preliminary sitting on 13 November and public sittings will take place from 21 January next year to 22 February and from 24 to 28 March.

) A suspected thief was beaten and left for dead in Diep River on Friday evening after a foreman was robbed of R55 000 worth of wages for employees working on a road construction site.

Internet pictures show the suspect was badly beaten and left in shallow water in the Diep River next to Doornbach.

Police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said cops found a 34-year-old male in a small dam. His legs were tied with plastic rope, one leg was broken and he had stab wounds in his head and face, which was swollen and bruised.

He said the victim was taken to a nearby hospital and was still in hospital. A docket of assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm was opened. - West Cape News

See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....

 

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 287 222 (Audit Bureau of Circulations 2nd Quarter 2013) and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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