Seven men from Mpumalanga have been remanded in custody after they were arrested for the murder of a 38-year-old man and the assault of a 29-year-old man.
The two men were assaulted by community members in Vosman.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi said the seven alleged killers appeared in court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody.
The brutal attacks happened on Friday and Saturday.
“Seven suspects appeared before the eMalahleni Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, October 16. They were all remanded in custody for further investigation,” said Nkosi.
The next court date for the alleged attackers is scheduled for October 25.
According to information at the police’s disposal, the duo was brutally attacked by a number of suspects after they were accused of breaking into a local tavern.
It is alleged that after the burglary, a tavern employee and other individuals launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“The manhunt resulted in the apprehension of the 29-year-old victim on Friday. He was allegedly taken to the tavern, where he was assaulted with various objects, and boiling water was poured over his body,” Nkosi said.
The 29-year-old survived the ordeal after one of the assailants called for the torture to stop.
The following day, the second victim, aged 38, was also apprehended and brought to the tavern, where he was subjected to the same torture. He was released after his child intervened and was later taken to hospital by a family member.
The 38-year-old man succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.
Police were summoned to the hospital and initiated a murder investigation, leading to the arrest of seven suspects, aged between 28 and 43.
The seven alleged assailants are facing charges of murder, assault and kidnapping.
“Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests as investigations continue,” Nkosi added.
Acting provincial police commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the incident, warning against vigilantism.
“This incident highlights our concerns about vigilantism and the importance of allowing law enforcement to handle criminal matters,” Mkhwanazi said.
IOL