Western Cape police have condemned vigilantism, after a Phillipi necklacing attack against gang members and criminals in the township areas. They appeal to members of the community not to take the law into their own hands as they will be arrested.

“We are making an appeal to members of the community not to take the law into their own hands but we do understand that they have problems. However if they are faced with problems that they must approach the police station or office commander. If they do take the law into their own hands they will be arrested. So we urge them not to do so,” says SAPS spokesperson Theminkosi Kinana.

These incidents are prevalent in township areas where there is escalated rates of crime and gangsterism. One of these incidents occurred on Monday when a man suspected of stealing a cellphone was necklaced by the community around the Marikana informal settlement in Phillipi.

“Yesterday the police got reports of a man who was set alight after being discovered of stealing a cellphone by members of the community yesterday morning,” says Kinana.

The police has opened a murder case. No arrests have been made.

The victim could not be identified due to unsubstantial evidence.

“We cannot make any arrests and we do not have any details about the deceased,” says Kiana.

Investigations are underway.  VOC