Murder suspect allegedly killed by community members in Limpopo

A 45-year-old man suspected of stabbing a

77-year-old woman to death was allegedly killed by community members hours later at Rita Village in the Maake policing area, Limpopo.

Police are investigating the two related deaths following the incidents on Thursday, 24 September.

Police received a complaint at about 13:45 that a woman had allegedly been stabbed. Officers found the 77-year-old victim lying on the ground with a stab wound to her upper body. Emergency Medical Services personnel declared her dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the woman was allegedly stabbed by a male neighbour. The motive for the attack has not yet been established.

Police launched a search for the suspect, who was reportedly mentally unstable and had fled towards nearby mountains after seeing police.

At about 19:00, police received information that community members had allegedly located and assaulted the suspect at Rita Village.

Police responded and found the man lying motionless with visible injuries. He was declared dead at the scene by EMS personnel.

Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased man was the same person linked to the earlier killing of the woman.

Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers condemned the killings, including the alleged act of mob justice.

“Resorting to mob justice is unlawful and cannot be tolerated,” Scheepers said, urging communities to allow police to investigate crimes and deal with suspects through the criminal justice system.

Police investigations into both deaths are continuing.