Seven suspected criminals have been killed in vigilante attacks in the Eastern Cape in the past three weeks, police said on Tuesday.
In Flagstaff, three suspected thieves were killed and a fourth was seriously injured when members of the Ndimakude community assaulted them, said Captain Ernest Sigobe.
At least 20 people had been arrested in connection with the crime and were expected to appear in the Flagstaff Magistrates Court on July 12.
In Port Elizabeth, four people were killed “necklacing style” in separate incidents. One person had been arrested.
Necklacing involves forcing a rubber tyre soaked with petrol over a person's chest and arms, and setting it on fire.
Sigobe said an eight-member task team had been established to investigate the vigilante acts.
“More arrests are imminent,” he said. -
Sapa