A middle-aged man accused of theft was killed by a mob in Hammanskraal at the weekend, police said.
Police spokesperson Constable Herman Moremi said the victim was beaten to death at Dilopye near Temba in Hammanskraal around 04:50 on Saturday.
“It is alleged that a group of men were stealing around that area when they were chased by community members who managed to catch one suspect,” said Moremi.
The man was attacked and died on the scene after angry people stoned and beat him with unknown objects.
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“When the police arrived at the scene they found the victim with injuries all over the body. He was certified dead on the scene.”
Moremi said a murder docket was opened and police would seek to bring those responsible to justice.
Police are still trying to identify the victim and his name would be released once his next of kin had been informed.
He appealed to community members to stop taking the law into their own hands.
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Some of community members told Rekord that it was high time that “a strong message” be sent to criminals.
They said police were failing to deal with increasing crime in the area, and did not follow up when residents reported theft.
Recently, a suspected rapist was stoned to death in Eersterus, Hammanskraal.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said the man had allegedly kidnapped and raped a 47-year-old woman from Block B in Eersterus.
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The man apparently contacted the woman’s family and demanded a ransom of R4 000 after kidnapping her last Wednesday.
The woman was let go later that same day after the man received R4 000 from the woman’s son.
Seeking justice, the family laid a trap for the man on Tuesday this week, with the offer of a job.
“When he saw them (family) he tried to run away, but the family called for help from community members,” said Makhubela.
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“He was caught and brutally assaulted by the mob. He later died from his injuries,” said Makhubela.
Makhubela said police were on their way to the rape victim’s address to compile an identikit when they were told what had happened to the suspect.
“When police got there they found that he had been brutally assaulted. Paramedics were called and they confirmed he was dead,” he said.
Makhubela said police had arrested five people in connection with mob justice.
“The five people, all of them men between the ages of 30 and 41, will be charged with murder.”
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