Seven men from Mpumalanga have been arrested following the death of a 38-year-old man and the severe injury of a 29-year-old, after both were assaulted by community members in Vosman.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi, said the two victims were attacked by several people on Friday and Saturday.
"According to information, the duo was brutally attacked by a number of suspects after they were accused of breaking into a local tavern," Nkosi said.
It is alleged that after the burglary, a tavern employee and other individuals launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“The manhunt resulted in the apprehension of the 29-year-old victim on Friday. He was allegedly taken to the tavern, where he was assaulted with various objects, and boiling water was poured over his body,” Nkosi said.
The 29-year-old survived the ordeal after one of the assailants called for the torture to stop.
The following day, the second victim, aged 38, was also apprehended and brought to the tavern, where he was subjected to the same torture. He was released after his child intervened and was later taken to hospital by a family member.
The 38-year-old man succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
Police were summoned to the hospital and initiated a murder investigation, leading to the arrest of seven suspects, aged between 28 and 43. The suspects are expected to appear in the eMalahleni Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, facing charges of murder, assault and kidnapping.
“Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests as investigations continue,” Nkosi added.
Acting provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the incident, warning against vigilantism.
“This incident highlights our concerns about vigilantism and the importance of allowing law enforcement to handle criminal matters,” Mkhwanazi said
IOL