Limpopo police have strongly condemned an act of mob justice after a 25-year-old man was assaulted and burnt to death by angry community members in Hasani Mbhalati village outside Malamulele.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said police investigations revealed that the community accused the man identifies as Doctor Maswanganyi of being involved in the murder of a 63-year-old woman Maria Hlungwani. Gogo Hlungwani was found murdered in a pipeline hole wrapped with a traditional cloth on 19 July 2023 in the same village. Ledwaba added that the police received a report of vigilantism and quickly attended to the scene together with the emergency services.
On arrival at the scene, Ledwaba says the victim was found burning. "The EMS personnel tried to save him but unfortunately he died at the scene. Provincial police commissionaire Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe warned the community against taking the law into their own hands and vowed that they will face the law. "Community members should understand that taking the law into their own hands is a crime, therefore, perpetrators will be arrested. The community must report criminals to the police who will investigate and arrest the suspects," said General Hadebe. Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the involved suspects should contact investigating officer Warrant Office Thanyani Bakela 0823199724 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the nearest Police Station or MySAPSApp. Police investigations are still continuing.
