Lentswe, Klerksdorp - A mob of angry taxi drivers killed a man suspected of killing one of their own by drenching him in petrol and setting him alight. Community members said Mzikayise Madala Qala (33) was necklaced but SAPS’ Lt Col Amanda Funani said she could only confirm that Qala was set alight by using petrol. Necklacing is a method of torture carried out by forcing a rubber tire drenched with petrol around a victim’s chest and arms, and setting it on fire.
After this incident in the early hours of Sunday October 15, the NW Provincial Commissioner, Lt-Gen Sello Kwena cautioned members of the community to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Lt Col Funani said the gruesome murder happened after Qala (33) stabbed a local taxi driver, Katlego Sehloho (27) with a knife in an argument over a cellphone. “He then fled the scene, leaving the victim behind who was taken to a nearby house for assistance but died a while later.’’
According to information received, an angry mob of taxi drivers traced Qala and took him to the taxi rank in Ext 8, where he was “allegedly assaulted and set alight”. The police was called to the scene where they found Qala’s charred remains.
Jouberton detectives are investigating the murders.
Funani added that subsequent to the mob justice incident, a 42-year-old suspect was arrested. He is expected to appear in court this week.
