An unidentified man burnt to death in Mbekweni on Thursday 6 February.
According to Sergeant Nceba Vanqa, Mbekweni police spokesperson, the man was caught by a group of people allegedly after breaking into a car.
Mbekweni police were on routine patrol in the area when they were informed of a possible lynching in progress near the Paarl Traffic Department. An official for Dogs and All security alerted the police to the incident after coming across it.
“The official saw a group of about 25 unknown people assaulting a man, and when he stopped to rescue him from them they threatened him. He hurried from the scene and contacted the police,” Vanqa said.
According to a witness who prefers to remain unnamed, he saw the group place a tyre around the deceased’s neck after assaulting him and setting it alight. The victim died on the scene.
A murder case has been opened and is being investigated. No arrests had yet been made. Anyone with information can visit Mbekweni Police Station or call 021 868 9905.
Mbekweni Station Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Coetzee, urged community members to report any form of crime and not take the law into their own hands.
