FICKSBURG: Monday, 20 February 2023 - The Meqheleng community allegedly attacked two foreign nationals accused of commission of crime at Extension 11 and Zone 8 on two separate incidents in which one person was killed and another badly assaulted and arrested with illegal firearm and ammunitions.
On Sunday, 19 February 2023 at about 02:30 at Zone 8 Meqheleng near Ficksburg a woman was attacked by a suspect who tried to rob her with a firearm. The community in the area came to her rescue and attacked the suspect aged 28 and police were alerted . The suspect was found in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions, he is also undocumented person. More than 100 community members gathered around him and woman, the victim who sustained wound on her forehead alleged she was beaten by suspect with a firearm.
The suspect was arrested and taken to local hospital for further treatment. A case of attempted robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunitions and being illegal immigrant has been opened. He is expected to appear before the Ficksburg magistrate court as soon as he is released from the hospital.
On another incident at about 17:50 Extension 11 Meqheleng, the community members attacked 28-year-old foreign national and ended up loosing his life. The motive behind is still unknown thus far. A case of murder is being investigated. No arrest has been made yet.
We want to caution our communities that Mob justice is not a solution to address any form of crime but it's more advisable to perform citizen arrest and handover a suspect to police and be willing to submit statements as such to ensure that the perpetrators face their day in court.