Mob torches two men
2013-03-10 18:50
Johannesburg - Two men died after they were set alight by a mob in the Freedom Park informal settlement near Rustenburg on Sunday, said North West police.
Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said police arrived on the scene at around 13:00 and found the men's corpses in flames.
"One of the two men was already burnt beyond recognition whilst his counterpart was still in flames with a wooden table placed on top of his dead body," said Ngubane.
Police tried to remove the table and douse the flames.
"An angry crowd of about 500 people who were gathered at the crime scene tried to disturb the police officers from putting the fire out. Police called for backup and [other officers] assisted in taking control of the scene," said Ngubane.
The two dead men, whose identities are unknown, were allegedly assaulted, doused with paraffin and then set alight.
The mob accused them of a series of crimes in the area, including murder.
Police were investigating these claims as well as the murder of the two men.
No arrests have been made yet.
- SAPA
