WATCH: Fed-up community forces alleged thief to dig his own grave

Angry residents of Dwarsloop in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, on Monday forced an alleged thief to dig his own grave and threatened to bury him alive. The man, who has reportedly been beaten twice by residents in the past three months, was suspected of breaking into homes.

According to Tumelo Dibakwane, who took the video, the community said this time, they were tired of beating him up, so taking the law into their hands was the only option.

Dibakwane further said one of the community members had suggested they pour petrol on him and burn him before they decided to bury him alive.

In the video, a man can be seen hitting the alleged thief on his head with a spade several times while he tries to shield himself with his arms. The man, who reportedly spent an hour in the ‘grave’, was being treated for his injuries in hospital.

Watch the video below posted on TimesLive:

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Sergeant Gerald Sedibe told the publication that the victim did not want to open a case, the same way no one had opened a burglary case against him.