Top cop: 'punish the
criminals before police comes'
Lt Gen Simon Mpembe (provincial police ...show more
"Mob justice is allowed in the absence of
police officers. When you arrest a criminal, do whatever it takes while you are
waiting for the police." These were the words of provincial police
commissioner, Lt Gen Simon Mpembe, when he spoke at a crime awareness campaign
held at the University of Limpopo on Thursday.
30 May 2012 | Peter Mashishi
MANKWENG - "Mob justice is allowed in the
absence of police officers. When you arrest a criminal, do whatever it
takes while you are waiting for the police."
These were the words of provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Simon Mpembe, when he spoke at a crime awareness campaign held at the University of Limpopo on Thursday.
The campaign was held in association with the police, and Mpembe was one of the guest speakers. The campaign aimed to motivate students to assist in fighting crime. Mpembe said it is not only the police’s duty to protect the students.
"You as students must help them by protecting yourselves. Move in large groups. In that way, it will be difficult for criminals to victimise you."
He said he does not see the necessity of rushing criminals to hospital after they have been beaten by a mob. He encouraged the students to punish the criminals in the absence of the police.
"Are nyešeng tsotsi tša Mankweng," he said.
The theme of the campaign was Academics in a War Against Crime. Kgalema Mohuba, the spokesperson of the university said it is disturbing to hear about a student who has killed someone or was killed themselves.
The SRC president, Simon Rammutla said campus security should work with the police and the students should also get involved.
