Loadshedding Lament: Accused Murderer Kidnapped from Cops, Killed In Mob Justice
A man who had been accused of murdering his girlfriend was kidnapped from the cops by community members and killed on August 15, 2023, in Mpumalanga.
The accused, Clive Khosa, 32, had allegedly brutally attacked his girlfriend, Khanyisile Ngobeni, in July, inflicting fatal injuries using a machete and a knife. Following the gruesome incident, Khosa fled to a neighbouring village.
On August 10, the police had released Khosa’s identity and photograph to the public, appealing to him to surrender at the nearest police station to aid in the ongoing investigation. However, the authorities struggled to locate him until receiving information about his abduction.
How The Accused Murderer Was Kidnapped And Killed
As Khosa was seen moving about, individuals from the neihbouring community in Mkhuhlu recognised him from images circulating on social media. They managed to apprehend him and summoned Utah residents to take custody of him.
When the Utah villagers arrived, they subjected Khosa to physical violence before leaving with him, all transpiring before the arrival of the police.
An anonymous community member shared with Zimoja:
“Members of the community were gathered at a local sports field with tyres, petrol, stones, and other weapons waiting for Khosa’s arrival from Mkhuhlu. When the vehicles with Khosa eventually arrived in Utah, the police were already there. Hell broke loose as the police attempted to rescue him from the angry mob. Suddenly loadshedding came into effect, and Khosa’s luck ran out immediately. Khosa was taken to another village where he was assaulted to death.”
Police Confirm Clive Khosa’s Death
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police, confirmed the tragic incident, revealing that a witness connected to the death of Khanyisile Ngobeni had also been killed. His body was discovered in the Utah Grazing Camp in Mhala, displaying signs of restraint with wires and evident signs of harm.
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, Mpumalanga’s police commissioner, urged the community to refrain from taking matters into their own hands and to entrust law enforcement agencies with the task of maintaining order.