Suspected goat thief beaten to death

A man accused of stealing 11 goats was beaten to death and a car set alight at Moretele village near Taung, North West police said.

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Rustenburg - A man accused of stealing 11 goats was beaten to death and a car set alight at Moretele village near Taung on Wednesday, North West police said.

Police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said members of the community cornered the two men in the early hours of Wednesday. “According to information, Vryburg stock theft unit responded swiftly after receiving information about alleged mob justice and managed to rescue the suspects from the community.

“The latter were accusing the suspects for stealing goats, of which eleven carcasses were found inside a Toyota Conquest car belonging to the suspects, while the other two (carcasses) were found outside.

The suspects' car was allegedly set alight.” He said the men were taken to Huhudi Clinic, but one of the men, aged 40, was certified dead on arrival, while the other, aged 23, received medical treatment.

“He is currently in detention for stock theft. The police are also investigating cases of murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm against members of the community.”

North West acting provincial commissioner, Major General Joyce Molale urged the community to respect the rule of law and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, but to report suspects to the police.

African News Agency