Diepkloof – A 48-year-old man was killed by residents after allegedly stealing bathroom basins from St James Anglican Church in Diepkloof, Soweto on Wednesday, 29 January. His body was discovered under a tree near the church, the stolen basins lying beside him.
A family member, who requested anonymity, described the deceased as a troubled individual with a history of drug abuse and theft within the community.
“He was a troublesome person, always smoking nyaope. We can’t comment much on the incident because we were not there. We were called to the scene,” they said, adding that the family had not seen him for some time and were shocked by the discovery. “He is resting, and we can now also rest. Retlo phomola,” the family member concluded.
Henry Mogapi, a church warden at St James Anglican Church, confirmed that this was not an isolated incident. He recounted a previous break-in last week where vandals stole four urine systems from the men’s toilets.
“I got to church last week and realised the toilets were vandalised and four urine systems were stolen from the male toilets. One of the patrollers was calling out my name this morning, telling me they had apprehended a culprit who was walking away with stolen goods. When I got to the church, I found there was indeed a break in. The burglar bar was broken, and four basins were missing,” he explained.
Mogapi stated that community patrollers apprehended the suspect, but three accomplices escaped.
Gauteng police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a murder investigation has been launched following the alleged killing of the thief by community members.
“No one is arrested as yet,” she stated. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and will be pursuing charges against those responsible for the man's death.
