MEC Plato condemns mob justice attacks in the Cape Flats

Loyiso Langeni

10 July 2015

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety Dan Plato has condemned the recent mob justice attacks in Hout Bay and Khayelitsha.

Yesterday three suspects were burnt with one being declared dead on the scene after they robbed someone of their cellphones on a train.

MEC Plato said these murders call for serious introspection and immediate action.

Ministerial Spokesperson Ewald Botha said as part of my oversight mandate over policing in the province MEC Plato will request an update from the Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thembisile Patekile, on the SAPS visible policing efforts in both communities, as a first deterrent for criminal activity.

“Though there is a serious case to be made for the apparent lack of police visibility which is fuelling either vengeance attacks or increasing feeling of being unsafe in public spaces, the police are not solely to blame for these murders. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and these murders must be condemned by all of us.” Botha added.