[ad_1]
An angry community in Bolobedu, Limpopo outside, broke out on Thursday, setting fire to a shop and a motor vehicle belonging to a 47-year-old businessman whom they accused of being responsible for the brutal murder of a young couple.
The outraged community also killed the businessman’s chickens, goats and pigs, before fleeing the scene.
The bodies of the couple were found in a pool of blood at their home Tuesday.
Police said the property destroyed in the attack was valued at more than 1 million rand.
Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the incident took place in the village of Ga-Rapitsi, in the Itireleng section on the outskirts of Kgapane, near Modjadjiskloof, on Thursday morning.
“The residents allegedly accused the businessman of being responsible for the brutal murder of a young couple, Nius Malatjie, 21, and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Lucia Malapane. Their bodies were found in their home with multiple deep wounds from their neighbor, who is also their employer.
The aftermath of a mob that burned down the business and livestock of a Bolobedu businessman who was accused of being responsible for the murder of a young couple. Image: supplied
“The employer had allegedly come to the house at 12 noon to check on them after they failed to show up for work.
“When he entered the house, he was met by the frantic crying of a baby and when he called, no one answered. Next to the baby, were the lifeless bodies of the baby’s parents, swimming in a pool of blood. The police were immediately contacted along with medical emergency personnel, who later certified his death at the scene. The motive for the murder of the couple is not yet known and investigations into the gruesome murder are still being developed, ”Mojapelo said.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has strongly condemned the brutal manner of the couple and the reaction of the community. He said a team of investigators, led by the district commissioner, Major General Maggie Mathebula, was already working around the clock to hunt down the killers.
Ledwaba further said that collective justice was a serious crime that could send one to jail for many years.
“We are now offering a reward of up to 200,000 rand (two hundred thousand rand) for any information that may lead to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the suspect (s) involved in or responsible for the murders of the young couple. Since then we have opened cases of arson, intentional damage to property and two counts of murder, ”he said.
For more news your way, download The Citizen app to iOS Y Android.
[ad_2]
