Crowd kills stabbing suspect at Isigisi Reserve

THE head of the Madlebe Traditional Authority, Inkosi Zenzo Khulumangifile Zungu, has lambasted communities who take the law into their own hands under the pretext of resolving disputes.

Inkosi Zungu was reacting to an incident in Isigisi Reserve where community members killed a mentally ill man accused of murdering two people in the area on Thursday.

‘All of us are subject to the rule of law. No amount of anger should result in people taking the law into their own hands. Vigilantism is in conflict with the law.

‘We need to learn to allow space for our law enforcement agencies to do their work and have trust in them.

‘I understand the anger of our community, but the law must run its course.’

It is alleged that Bhekibandla Mnguni (21) fatally stabbed two people.

Bhekizenzo Hlongwane (60) was stabbed 27 times and Isigisi Primary School Grade 5 learner Sinethemba Mbatha (11) more than 40 times, while a third victim who survived was left with multiple stab wounds.

Shortly after the incidents, irate community members took it upon themselves to locate the attacker, who was eventually found hiding in the bushes.

He was beaten before being set alight.

Mbatha was attacked while walking to school with her schoolmate, who escaped unharmed.

Mbatha’s father, Ngcebo Masuku, was left devastated by the loss of his daughter.

A community member, Siphesihle Mtshali, described Hlongwane’s death as shocking.

‘He went to the Ngwelezana shopping centre to buy newspapers as he always does, when he was attacked. He could not even scream for help because he was deaf-mute. He did not deserve to die like that.’

KZN MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza said her department would dispatch social workers to provide psycho-social support to the families who lost their loved ones.

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