A man has died and another was hospitalised with critical injuries after an incident of suspected vigilantism on Tuesday afternoon outside Lephalale in Limpopo.

The incident which occurred in Ga-Seleka 2 under Witpoort policing area outside Lephalale resulted in the arrest of 12 people, including three minors, police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo explained in a statement this morning.

According to police reports the deceased man was with two friends when they were attacked. “It is alleged the trio were walking away from a local tuck shop when they heard shouting. They then saw a group of people running towards them with the intention to ‘fight them’ and ran to a house, belonging to of the friends, and locked the doors.”

Mojapelo explained that the said group of ‘vigilantes’ surrounded the house and broke the doors and windows to gain entry. “During the incident one of the friends jumped through the window to escape and was attacked by the group and was stabbed and eventually stoned to death. The second man was also assaulted and severely injured, while the third man managed to escape,” he said.

Spears and knives were used during the attack.

Mojapelo said that SAPS were alerted to the situation and arrived on the scene to find one man dead and another critically injured. The injured man was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The deceased has been identified as 30-year-old Kgohla Alpheus Majadibodu.

Police investigations commenced and 12 people, including three teenagers, aged 17, were arrested.

“What triggered the attack is unknown at this stage but police investigations continue. The police urges anyone with information about this incident to contact their nearest police station or the 24-hour Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111.”

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has once again warned those who take take part in acts of vigilantism that they will face the full might of the law.

Hadebe commended the SAPS members who arrested the suspects within hours after the attack. “The swift action of the members should send a clear message that the police are more than determined to fight the scourge of vigilantism.”

She added that incidents of this nature cannot be allowed to take root anywhere in the province and that the police will continue to hunt down any possible remaining suspects and bring them to book.