PUBLIC Order Police have been deployed in the Ndundulu Reserve near Melmoth following the public taking the law into their own hands after a murder in the area.
On Saturday Genephi Mhlongo (66), Angel Mthimkhulu (26) and Chebsile Ngema (age unknown) were asleep in one room at the Mhlongo homestead.
An unknown number of men entered through an open window and demanded money from the women.
When Mhlongo resisted, the suspects stabbed her and the other two women with knives.
Mhlongo died on the scene, while Mthimkhulu was seriously injured and died at KwaMagwaza Hospital.
The suspects fled the scene on foot and it is not known whether they managed to get any money.
On Sunday morning the Melmoth police responded to a complaint of people fighting at Ndundulu.
On arrival, they found a group of about 30 community members assaulting two men with sticks, stones and fists.
The community alleged they were involved in the killing of the two women.
After negotiations with the community, the men, aged 23 and 25, were handed over to the police and taken to KwaMagwaza Hospital with serious injuries.
The community refused to divulge any information to the police and no arrests were made.
An hour later the police received information regarding a murder in the same area. The body of a 30-year-old man was found in the middle of the road about 500 metres from the earlier incident. He had been beaten to death with sticks and stones.
A group of about 150 community members were gathered in the vicinity, but again refused to speak to the police.
It is believed that the deceased was also suspected of being involved in the attempted robbery and murder of the women on Saturday night.
