An alleged vigilante mob – dubbed the ‘Diepsloot Five’ – were defended by fellow community members who were fed up with crime. They appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Each facing seven counts of murder, the five are accused of stoning and subsequent torching of seven alleged criminals. Community members gathered outside the court to show sympathy for the accused as they vented their frustration over inadequate policing in the area.
“Do you think there should be justice for the seven people that died? Those seven people were the ones who have been terrorising the community of Diepsloot – they have been killing, stealing, raping and everything,” resident Kagamatso Sekoto is quoted by Eyewitness News as saying.
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Vigilantism in Diepsloot
Five severely burnt bodies were found in Extension 12, while two more were found in Extension 13. According to Gauteng police, two bodies had been positively identified. The remaining five were burnt beyond recognition.
Gauteng police commissioner Elias Mawela condemned the actions of vigilantes. “We condemn this incident. This is pure vigilantism. The more we add justifications to it, the more we encourage people to continue with vigilantism,” he said.
The matter was adjourned to 18 December in order to complete the verification of residential addresses and the setting of a date for formal bail applications, reported Eyewitness News.
