An Eastern Cape man has passed away after being allegedly beaten by a mob over his sister’s lost social grant card.
On Friday, five people, three men and two women, aged between 31 and 48, were charged with murder and attempted murder in the New Brighton magistrate’s court in Gqeberha.
According to provincial police spokesperson Col Priscilla Naidu the sister of the deceased, Lwando Kana, 31, allegedly confronted him and a cousin about her missing Sassa card at her home in Zwide.
They denied knowledge of her card and “she informed the community”, said Naidu.
“About 30 people arrived at the house and took the duo to a nearby park, where they were assaulted with sjamboks, water pipes and sticks. They were later brought back on the following morning; Kana was found dead in the house.”
Naidu said his 42-year-old cousin sustained severe injuries and was taken to hospital for medical treatment. She said police arrested the five suspects in their homes in Zwide during the early hours of Thursday.
Nelson Mandela Bay district commissioner Maj-Gen Vuyisile Ncata condemned the attack.
“Vigilantism cannot be a justifiable act of punishment for anyone. The community must refrain from making assumptions without verifying the facts. Many times, the community takes the law into their own hands and no cases are reported against the person/s they allege to be a suspect/s,” said Naidu.
