Mob Justice Incident
By Mpho Moloi
Free State Police have arrested five suspects, aged between 22 and 53, for murder and attempted murder in Zamdela after a violent mob justice incident on Tuesday, 18 March 2025. The arrests stem from a brutal assault on three African males in their early 30s, who were accused by community members of stealing from a vehicle parked at a mechanics yard in Mooidraai, Zamdela. One victim died at the scene, while the other two are receiving medical treatment.
Violent Mob Justice Incident Shocks Zamdela Community
According to Free State Police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani, the incident unfolded late on Tuesday night when police received a call around 22:00 reporting a mob justice attack at a residence in Mooidraai, Zamdela. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered three men with severe injuries, allegedly inflicted by an angry group of residents.
The victims, all in their early 30s, had reportedly been accused of stealing from a vehicle at a nearby mechanics yard. The mob took matters into their own hands, resulting in a tragic outcome. “One of the victims succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at the scene by the emergency services. The other two victims were taken to a local hospital for medical treatment,” Sergeant Rani confirmed.
Emergency services personnel worked swiftly to assist the injured, but the extent of the wounds proved fatal for one of the men. The surviving victims remain under medical care, with their conditions yet to be publicly disclosed.
Police Condemn Mob Justice and Urge Community Restraint
The Free State Police have strongly condemned the incident, calling it a senseless act of vigilantism. “The police condemn the incident and warn the community against taking the law into their own hands,” Sergeant Rani stated. She emphasised that such actions not only lead to unnecessary loss of life but also complicate the justice process.
This is not the first time Zamdela has witnessed mob justice incidents. In recent years, the area has seen sporadic outbreaks of community-driven violence, often linked to frustrations over crime. However, police are urging residents to report suspected crimes to authorities rather than resorting to violence. “We are here to serve and protect. Let us do our job,” Rani added.
The five suspects, apprehended shortly after the incident, range in age from 22 to 53. They are now in custody and facing serious charges of murder and attempted murder. Authorities have confirmed that the group will appear before the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 March 2025.
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