Two suspected livestock thieves killed in Limpopo
Two suspected livestock thieves have been killed in what Limpopo police have described as an incident of mob justice.
Members of the community assaulted the two men near a farm in the Vuwani area of Limpopo on Monday.
Police say the victims were found naked and tied up.
One victim was certified dead at the scene, and the other died upon arrival at a hospital.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased were suspected of livestock theft when they were cornered by unknown community members who brutally assaulted them," says police spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba.
"One dead cow and two other cattle were found near the victims at the scene.
"Police have opened two counts of murder, and a massive manhunt has been launched to apprehend the suspects responsible for the attacks."
Out of 179 murders reported in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025 in Limpopo, 27 were linked to vigilantism.
Many murder cases involving vigilantism were reported in Seshego, Thohoyandou, Lebowakgomo, and Westernberg.
Provincial police commissioner Thembi Hadebe has condemned acts of vigilantism in the province.
"Taking the law into one's own hands is not only illegal but represents a fundamental breakdown of our constitutional values and the rule of law,” Hadebe said.
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