Johannesburg – Four people have been arrested after residents went on a rampage, torching houses and looting shops in Ga-Mothapo village outside Polokwane, Limpopo police said.
The incident was sparked by the stabbing of a boy at a tavern on Monday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said he later died at a hospital.
"The disgruntled community members took the law into their own hands and went out to look for the suspects. Four houses were burnt down and a number of spaza shops looted by community members," said Ngoepe.
"Police arrived at the scene and arrested the suspects. A group of community members started throwing stones at the police during arrests, they ran into the nearby bushes and dispersed. More arrests are expected."
The four, aged between 16 and 42, would appear in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court soon on charges of public violence, possession of stolen property and arson.