Lesedi Hlahane (22) died after being allegedly beaten by shop owners in Dunnottar.
The 22-year-old Lesedi, who his family claimed he had the mind of a two-year-old, was allegedly mistaken for a thief, locked inside a shop, and brutally assaulted by shop owners on 20 February.
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After fighting for his life in a coma at Pholosong Hospital for three weeks, Lesedi died on Tuesday, 10 March.
Now, the community has shut down shops belonging to Pakistani foreign nationals, accusing the police of protecting the “killers”.
It’s alleged that four boys robbed the shop and ran past Lesedi as he was walking in.
The shop owners allegedly grabbed him, thinking he was part of the gang.
The family’s pain is sharpened by what they call “bungling” by the Dunnottar police.
“Lesedi had the mind of a two-year-old. He would clean up after himself and sit to watch television.
“When he was bored, he’d go out with his speaker, with maskandi music blaring. He wasn’t involved in any criminal activities.
“People around here knew him, and maybe the killers also knew him because he was just walking alone here in kasi.”
“We hear stories that are fabricated by the shop owners that he stole a speed point, which is a lie, because they’re trying to protect themselves.
“Lesedi had no capacity to steal anything and was semi-mute. They must show us the CCTV camera to prove that,” said aunt Lindiwe Mavimbela.
The family said they are also not happy with how Dunnottar police are handling the case.
“At first, we were told that the first statement was lost, but all of a sudden, the statement was found. We don’t know which is which,” said the aunt.
Thabo Motaung, Convener of Councillors, said: “We feel they want to sweep this case under the carpet. We are not going to let them.”
Angry residents gathered at Lesedi’s home on Thursday night, 12 March to support the family, vowing that the shops will remain closed until justice is served.
On Tuesday, they also marched to the Dunnottar cop shop to demand justice and opened a new case after the first case was allegedly bungled.
“We are not fighting foreign nationals. We want the police to do the right thing and investigate the people behind the murder of Lesedi,” said a resident.
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Gauteng police have confirmed they’re investigating a case of murder.
However, the lack of immediate arrests has done little to calm the tensions in the area.
