A man in his late 30s was killed by a mob after he was caught allegedly stealing tyres in Rest in Peace, Kwa-Thema, Springs, east of Johannesburg, earlier this week.

Eight tyres, rims, a TV, and a generator were found in the possession of three suspects. Two of the suspects managed to flee the scene, and the mob caught the other.

The man was assaulted, burned with hot water, and dismembered during the incident. During the interrogation, the suspect told the mob that he is from Spruitview, Ekurhuleni.

A resident, who asked not to be named, told the African Reporter that they are tired of criminals holding residents at ransom.

“We fear driving at night due to hijackings. When we are at home, we are forced to be locked in like prisoners for our own safety. We can’t continue living like this,” he added.

Kwa-Thema station commander Colonel Nhlanhla Kunene confirms the matter is under investigation.

“The crime was reported to have been committed in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but the police were only called to the scene at 10:00.

“No one called an ambulance to the scene, it was summoned by the police on arrival,” says Kunene.