Pretoria - The SAPS in Maake, outside Tzaneen, have launched a manhunt for people after Ngoako Thomas Pilusa, 43, was stoned to death and then set alight at Bismarck village on Sunday morning.
Limpopo SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the attackers also damaged Pilusa’s property, including a house and vehicles. The assailants also torched the house of another person.
“The deceased was at home when a group of about six men arrived and started to assault him and damaging his house, furniture and two vehicles. They thereafter took him to the nearby bushes and jointly with other community members stoned and set him alight. He died on the scene,” said Mojapelo.
“The crowd reportedly moved to the house of another person and when they could not find him, they torched his house. The Maake SAPS together with the public order police (POP) unit responded to a call about these heinous crimes and on arrival the crowd had already left.”
The motive for the incident was unknown, but Ngoepe said domestic violence could not be ruled out.
Limpopo SAPS provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba condemned the incidents and directed the suspects be “hunted down” and brought to book.
“The police will continue working hard to ensure that those who engage in brutal attacks and lawlessness are arrested,” said Ledwaba.
Cases of murder, arson and malicious damage to property are being investigated.
African News Agency (ANA)