Two-day murder spree ends in ‘mob justice’
A man was 'necklaced' after allegedly murdering two people with a spade on Saturday, October 3.
The suspect was chased down by community members, who put a tyre around his neck and burned him to death in Etwatwa after he was seen stealing a woman’s spade and beating her and a man with it.
According to WO Ramothakhi Maqabe, Benoni SAPS cluster spokesperson, witnesses said the suspect attacked a woman (55) with her own spade on Friday, October 2 at around 6pm.
“It is alleged the victim was at her yard in the Barcelona informal settlement, when the suspect arrived and urinated in her yard,” Maqabe said.
“When she asked him why he was urinating in her yard, the suspect picked up a spade and hit her on her body and head several times.”
She was taken to Netcare Union Hospital, in Alberton, where she passed away.
The following day the suspect, while being chased by community members, assaulted a man (35) at 9am, with the same spade he had used to attack the first victim.
“The victim was declared dead on the scene by Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EMS),” Maqabe said.
Maqabe added that the mob caught up with the suspect and tied his feet with wire.
Police suspect he was stoned, after which the mob put a tyre around his neck and set him alight, at 10am at the sports grounds in Barcelona.
“Etwatwa police had called for backup; when they arrived on the scene, they tried to remove the body from the burning tyres, but it was too late,” Maqabe said.
EMS declared the suspect dead on the scene.
Three cases of murder have been opened at the Etwatwa Police Station, two against the deceased suspect and one against the mob, which is still under investigation.
No suspects had been arrested at the time of publishing.
Police are appealing to the community to come forward with any information regarding the case and not to take the law into their own hands.
You may also be interested in:
Help police strengthen case against robbery suspect
