The hunt is still on for the killers of a 19-year-old teenager who was brutally beaten and burnt with acid in Olievenhoutbosch, near Pretoria, in the wee hours of Thursday morning. The mother of two, Lydia Motshoane was allegedly killed for dating a criminal who is said to be a part of a group terrorising the community of Olievenhoutbosch.

WRONG CROWD

 According to eyewitnesses at the scene, Lydia was killed for hanging with the wrong crowd. She was still a high school learner. It is unclear what really happened that led the community to take matters into their own hands. "She was assaulted like she was a hardcore criminal. Yes, she hung around with the wrong people but she didn't deserve to die like that. What makes things worse about her murder is the fact that the community was taking videos and her family found out about her death in the morning on social media," said the neighbour, who wished not to be named fearing for her safety. According to the source, Lydia was beaten and burnt around 2 am.

REAL CRIMINALS ESCAPED

Another witness told ZiMoja that the guys she was with, including her boyfriend managed to escape as the angry community gave chase. "The crowd decided to turn to her because she was hanging with those guys who are accused of robbing people at night. Her family was never called to the scene and that is why the family only came in the morning after someone alerted them that Lydia was burnt in the streets in full view of the community," the source said. Lydia's elder sister, Maria Ntsele, said that the family was distraught by the manner in which her sister was killed. "We are still trying to come to terms with her death. She was young and had kids. Who is going to explain to her kids that they will never see their mother again? We are still in the dark about what happened that led to her being beaten and burnt like she was an animal. We want answers as to why she was killed," Ntsele said. She also said that the family is still in the dark about what really happened on that fateful night. "Nobody wants to tell us what really happened. We hope that the police will make an arrest soon and we will find answers on what really happened," she said. Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed Lydia's murder. "The victim was walking on Umhlume Street in Olievenhoutbosch when she was attacked by unknown suspects. The victim had head injuries and was also burned," Nevhuhulwi said. She added that the circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown at this stage, and the police investigation continues.