Polokwane - A man died after residents of Mhangweni, near Tzaneen, beat him to death for allegedly robbing a couple of cash and cellphones, Limpopo police said on Sunday.
“A man and a woman were robbed while walking home at around 11pm on Saturday when six men approached them and took their cellphones, cash and shoes. The couple screamed for help and residents rushed to their rescue,” Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.
Five of the alleged robbers managed to flee. Residents caught the sixth man and beat him to death with sticks and stones. The man, estimated to be in his 20s, died on the scene.
Ngoepe said such attacks were a concern for police.
“We have had similar cases before where people died at the hands of residents instead of handing them over to the police,” he said.
“We appeal to residents to refrain from taking the law into their hands because we could have been able to question the man and arrest his accomplices.”
Sapa