The Mpumalanga Provincial Task Team arrested two 50-year-old men and are facing charges, including two counts of murder, kidnapping, and malicious property damage.

Samuel Sheku and Bapsi Mnisi appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on Monday February 19 after being arrested on February 12 in Masoyi.

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According to the provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, on December 29, 2023, the community of Nhlalakahle Trust in Masoyi experienced an incident in which six cows belonging to one resident were found slaughtered next to the bushes.

“It is also reported that some community members mobilised themselves and captured two young males, Sifiso Bulunga (39) and Satelo Maluka (37), residing in the same area. The two were reportedly accused of being involved in stock theft. It is alleged that the two were then tortured by these community members while their hands and legs were tied with some wires,” he said.

Mdhluli added that the police in Masoyi were notified about the incident, and a van was dispatched to the crime scene, only to experience a hostile reception from this group of people.

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Further reports indicate that there was a bakkie believed to have been used by the so-called suspects that were captured. The angry mob torched the said bakkie, while the two were severely assaulted as well as burnt beyond recognition.

“A case was opened and the docket was assigned to the Mpumalanga Provincial Task Team under the leadership of the provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela. The team worked tirelessly on the investigation and arrested the two suspects, Samuel Sheku and Bapsi Mnisi, then charged them accordingly,” said Mdhluli.

During their court appearance, the case was postponed to Friday, February 23 for a formal bail application.