A 38-year-old victim lost his life whilst a 29-year-old is in severe pain after the two were allegedly assaulted by a number of suspects in Vosman on Friday, 11 and Saturday 12 October 2024.
According to information, the duo were brutally attacked by a number of suspects after they were accused of breaking in at one of the local taverns.
It is alleged that the suspects, including a tavern employee, decided to launch a manhunt for the alleged burglars.
The manhunt resulted in the apprehension of a 29-year-old victim on Friday. The victim was allegedly taken to the tavern where he was assaulted with different objects, and boiling water poured over his body. He survived the ordeal after one of the suspects called on his accomplices to stop the torture.
The following day, the second victim, a 38-year-old was also apprehended and brought to the tavern where he was subjected to the same torture as the first victim. He was released after his child intervened and the victim was taken to hospital by a family member, but succumbed due to his injuries on Sunday.
Police were summoned to the hospital to attend to a murder case, and a preliminary investigation led to the arrest of the seven suspects aged between 28 and 43 years.
All seven suspects are expected to appear before the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Wednesday 16 October 2024, for murder, assault and kidnapping. Police cannot rule out possibilities of effecting more arrests pending further investigation.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has strongly condemned the incident. “This incident highlights our concerns about vigilantism and the importance of letting law enforcement to handle criminal situations,” concluded the General.
