Police in Lebowakgomo, Limpopo, have launched a murder investigation after a man accused of breaking into a home was severely assaulted by community members and later died in hospital. The incident has sparked renewed warnings from authorities about the dangers and legal consequences of mob justice, a rising concern in several parts of the province.
According to provincial spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident occurred in Lebowakgomo Zone A on Saturday. Police were initially dispatched to the area to attend to a complaint of malicious damage to property. Upon arrival, they were met with a disturbing scene: an unidentified man lying on the ground with extensive injuries allegedly inflicted by residents.
Ledwaba explained that the man was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical care. Unfortunately, despite efforts by healthcare workers, he was declared dead on arrival. Preliminary investigations suggest that the deceased had allegedly gained entry into a house by tampering with the ceiling.
Police reports indicate that a child inside the home noticed the intruder’s suspicious movements in the ceiling and raised the alarm by screaming for help. Neighbours responded quickly, and in the ensuing chaos, the suspect reportedly fell through the roof. Moments later, angry community members allegedly attacked him, inflicting the injuries that ultimately proved fatal.
While the deceased is believed to be a middle-aged man, his identity has not yet been confirmed. Authorities are working to trace his family as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police have since opened two separate cases. One case involves malicious damage to property, related to the break-in allegedly committed by the deceased. The second case is a murder docket opened against those who participated in the assault. Investigators are now appealing to the public to come forward with any information that may help identify the individuals responsible for the attack.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, strongly condemned the incident and urged residents to avoid resorting to violence, regardless of the circumstances. She emphasized that the law must be allowed to take its course and that vigilantism not only puts lives at risk but also undermines the justice system.
“No one has the right to assault another person, regardless of the nature of the offence,” Hadebe said. “Anyone who acts outside the law will face serious consequences. Communities must work with the police instead of taking matters into their own hands.”
Mob justice cases continue to rise in parts of Limpopo and other provinces, often fuelled by frustration over crime and delayed legal processes. However, police maintain that such actions frequently lead to the wrongful targeting of suspects and the escalation of violence within communities.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the latest incident to contact Detective Sergeant Millet Letoaba at 072 576 0974, the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111, or submit anonymous tips via the My SAPS App.
The investigation continues as police work to bring those responsible to justice and reinforce the message that crime cannot be combated through unlawful violence.
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