Two people stoned, burnt to death in Limpopo

Limpopo police are looking for a group of people who stoned and burned two people, torched two vehicles and broke all the windows of a six-room house in Sekopung Legabeng section in the Mecklenburg policing precinct.

The victims have been identified as 75-year-old James Malapane and 25-year-old Doctor Maile, Review Online reported.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said it is alleged the community gathered to discuss the disappearance of Kgadi Dibakwana, 17, of Sekopung village, who was last seen with one of the deceased, Doctor Maila.

The girl was alleged to have accompanied Maile to collect money he owed the girl’s family.

“When asked where the missing girl was, Maile told community members she was with the other deceased, Malapane. Maile was then marched to Malapane’s house, and when the girl was not found, an angry group of residents started stoning both men and set them alight. They then went on to torch Malapane’s two vehicles and smashed the windows of his house,” added Mojapelo.

Nine family members, including two of Malapane’s wives, escaped unhurt.

Mojapelo said these acts of vigilantism and mob justice must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba gave assurance that the police would hunt down the people responsible and bring them to book.

“We cannot allow communities to continue adopting this trajectory of taking the law into their hands. Anybody who took part in this brutal attack will be dealt with mercilessly,” said Ledwaba.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Lieutenant-Colonel Ngele at 0712106628.

– Caxton News Service

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.