Update

KNYSNA NEWS - A community in mourning is demanding justice after 28-year-old Athinkosi Jonas was found dead in what appears to have been a brutal vigilante-style assault. 

Four suspects - three men and one woman - appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday 4 August, following their arrest in connection with Jonas’ murder. 

They remain in custody and are expected to return to court on 13 August for a formal bail application and the preparation of detailed bail profiles. 

According to a police media statement, officers responded to a report of an assault in the Nekkies area at about 10:50 on Friday 1 August.

Upon arrival, they discovered Jonas’ lifeless body behind a house, with multiple injuries. He was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.

Community disputes official timeline

However, members of the community alleged that Jonas was attacked on Thursday evening, not Friday morning as officially reported. Community members say the female suspect was publicly seen slapping Jonas before taking him to her nearby residence, where he was later allegedly assaulted by all four suspects.

“He could still have been alive for all we know,” said a close family friend. “But the woman did not call the police, she denied her involvement and gave a false statement. That’s why she wasn’t arrested on Friday morning after his body was found behind her house.”

According to residents, it was only after a neighbour alerted police, reporting rumours of the attack and of the woman's alleged plans to flee to the Eastern Cape, that authorities took action and arrested her.

No evidence to support allegations

The alleged motive behind the assault appears to stem from accusations made by the female suspect that Jonas had broken into her home and stolen food, including biscuits. 

However, police have not confirmed the speculations and said that, to date, no case of housebreaking or theft has been registered in support of these claims, and no evidence of a break-in or stolen items was found on Jonas or at his residence.

“We don’t understand why they would beat him up and leave him to die. For what?” asked Jonas’ aunt, Nomthetho Kakaza. “The woman alleged that he had broken into her house and stole from her, and even ate biscuits. But nothing was found. No proof. Just speculation.”

Community members further allege that Jonas was tied up, with his hands and legs bound, and left outside overnight in cold and rainy weather. These details have raised serious concerns that he could have survived had he received immediate medical attention.

“He was a sweet and humble boy. He never stole or took anything from anyone that didn’t belong to him,” continued Kakaza. “He was trusted by all in the community. We often sent him to our homes and shops, and not even once did he ever steal. That is why this is so hard for us. We, as the community, want justice - because there was no reason to kill him.”

Community members and the family of Athinkosi Jonas are pleased with the remand of all four suspects in custody after their court appearance on Monday 4 August. Photo: Rozano Alie

Community demands accountability

The incident has sparked widespread anger, grief, and disbelief in the Nekkies community. Many residents have condemned what they see as a deliberate act of vigilante justice, stressing that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands, especially in the absence of due process or evidence. 

“This wasn’t justice. This was murder,” Kakaza said. “If someone believed he had stolen, they should’ve reported it, not tied him up and left him to die.”

The community is now calling for a transparent investigation, for all those involved to be held accountable, and for the case to be treated with the urgency it deserves.

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