Suspected stock thieves stoned and burned to death
Two of the deceased were identified as Anton Malahlela (43) and Dumisani Malungani (34). The remaining victim has not been identified yet. Investigations to establish his identity are ongoing.
SEKHUKHUNE – Three men accused of stock theft were stoned before being set alight by a mob at Dithabaneng Village outside Ga Mphahlele on Friday.
“The three men were stoned and set alight during an incident of mob justice at the village. This happened after the victims brought nine cattle to the area last Wednesday. Two of the victims died on the spot and the third died on his way to hospital. The vehicle that was used to transport the cattle from the area, was also torched,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesman Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
According to Ngoepe, the nine cattle were reported stolen from Bolopa Village, along the R37 road. “Five suspects from Dithabaneng were arrested for the murder on Monday. The woman in whose premises these cattle were kept has also been taken in for questioning.”
On Tuesday, two of the five suspects appeared before the Lebowakgomo Magistrate’s Court. “The other three suspects and the woman on whose premises the alleged stolen cattle were placed for safekeeping, were released after they could not be linked to the cases.”
The two suspects, Nicolas Thamaga (45) and Happy Sebake (43), appeared on charges of three counts of murder.
Their cases were scheduled for a formal bail application on August 15.
