Two men killed and set alight in Limpopo after alleged rape of foreign national

Police in Limpopo have opened a murder investigation after two men were found dead and set alight in the Vhembe District’s Khomele Garaside area following anti-illegal immigration marches on 30 June.

How the victims were discovered

Officers from the Mphephu police district arrived at the scene at roughly 11pm on Tuesday after being alerted to a mob attack. Emergency personnel declared the men deceased due to severe assault and the burn injuries visible on their lower bodies.

The victims were found in a pile covered with pieces of wood which were fuelling a small fire.

Allegations and police statement

“Preliminary information indicates that the deceased were allegedly assaulted by members of the community after they were accused of raping a 29-year-old foreign national,” Limpopo police confirmed. The circumstances surrounding the alleged rape and the subsequent killings form part of the ongoing police investigation.

Police said the murder victims were not immediately identifiable and that no suspects had yet been identified. Authorities have requested assistance in identifying the perpetrators.

Police response to vigilante action

The South African Police Service condemned the actions of the mob and reminded communities that vigilantism is an offence.

“Mob justice is a serious criminal offence and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. We urge communities to allow the criminal justice system to deal with suspects through lawful processes instead of resorting to violence,”

said Limpopo police commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers.