Three suspects between the ages of 29 and 46 appeared before Malamulele Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 19 December 2023 on charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and murder.
According to the police report, on Thursday, 07 December 2023 at about 15h30, they received a complaint that there’s an African male who died at the hospital.
On arrival, they discovered that the victim was assaulted by community members in what looked like mob justice, suspected to have stolen cattle around Matiane village.
The preliminary investigation revealed that four victims were taken from their residence in Xikundu village, brought to Matiane village by community members who suspected that they were livestock thieves, assaulted with stones and sticks, and dumped back at Xikundu soccer field.
They were found by passers-by, who informed their families, who then drove them to the closest hospital.
The first victim succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while the second victim was transferred to Polokwane Hospital and passed away there. The other two victims are still in the hospital
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, hailed the arrest of the suspects and urged the community to report illegal activity to the police instead of enforcing their own laws.
All three suspects were traced and arrested on Wednesday, 13 December 2023 in Saselamani Township.
They appeared before Malamulele Magistrate’s court on Monday, 18 and Tuesday 19 December 2023 and remanded in custody while awaiting formal bail applications.
Police investigations are still ongoing, and more arrests are expected.