Bhisho High Court jails 16 people for life for vigilante killings of four men, accused of cable theft

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentences handed down to 16 accused by the Bhisho High Court in a case stemming from the vigilante killing of four men at Debenek in the Eastern Cape.

All 16 were convicted and sentenced on multiple charges, including four counts of murder, for which they each received life imprisonment. They were also sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for four counts of kidnapping and a further three years for public violence.

According to the NPA, the offences occurred in December 2022 after members of the community held a meeting and “resolved that individuals suspected of cable theft or related criminal activity would be subjected to so-called community punishment”.

The following day, community members allegedly obstructed police officers and forced law enforcement to retreat from the area.

“As a result of this unlawful decision, Lwando Makinana, Nwabisa Melane, Ziphozihle Thimba and Vuyo Clifford Lamani were forcibly removed from their homes and killed. The court heard that the victims posed no threat as they were unarmed at the time of the attack.”

The NPA stated that the court imposed heavy sentences to reflect the seriousness of the crimes. “Collectively, the sentences amount to life imprisonment, plus an additional 35 years. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of life imprisonment.”

In addition, the court declared all the convicted persons unfit to possess firearms and made an order concerning the welfare of one of the victims’ families. “The court further declared all the convicted persons unfit to possess firearms and ordered that the minor child of the late Nwabisa Melane be referred for professional counselling in recognition of the severe and lasting trauma caused by the crime,” said the NPA.

The prosecuting authority acknowledged the “profound loss” suffered by the victims’ families and reiterated its commitment to act decisively against acts of vigilantism. “

This matter sends a clear and uncompromising message: mob justice will be met with the full force of the law, and those who participate in it will face the most severe consequences.”

“The NPA once again urges communities to reject violence and to report crime to the South African Police Service, placing their trust in the criminal justice system to address wrongdoing lawfully,” said the NPA.

Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Barry Madolo also warned communities against taking the law into their own hands, urging residents to report criminal activity to the relevant authorities.

“When people take the law into their own hands, they do not become heroes; they become criminals. No suspicion of wrongdoing, no anger and no frustration with crime can ever justify the taking of a life.

“What occurred in Debenek was not justice; it was murder, followed by an attempt to obstruct the very system designed to protect communities,” said Madolo.

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