Women held for throwing stones

2008-12-18 18:03

Johannesburg - Three young women were arrested for stoning a police van during a mob justice incident in Ga-Maria Village near Vaalbank, Mpumalanga police said on Thursday.

The women, aged 16, 19 and 24, were among a crowd of residents who started throwing stones at police during the arrest of two men around 22:00 on Wednesday, said Constable Vusi Ntuli.

The men, aged between 21 and 25, were apprehended by the community on suspicion of rape and armed robbery. The two were about to be beaten up by the mob when police arrived. "They then threw stones at the police vehicle, damaging a rear window. The three women were arrested while the rest of the crowd fled the scene. They were charged with malicious damage to property," said Ntuli.

The two suspects saved from the mob were also arrested. They were charged with rape and armed robbery.

Those arrested were expected to appear at the Mbibane Magistrate's Court on Friday.

- SAPA