A man suspected of involvement in the horrific murder of a young woman was burned alive by an angry mob this week.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, a crowd of community members ambushed and set fire to the man identified as Samuel Mangebeletane Tsela, also known as a traditional healer. Tsela was a neighbour of Bontle Mashiyane, who was found brutally killed and mutilated in Masoyi last year.

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While Tsela had been arrested and released on bail in Mashiyane’s murder, her grieving community decided to take justice into their own hands. Furious over the savage brutality of her slaying, they doused Tsela in petrol and lit him ablaze.

Police and paramedics responding to the scene could only pronounce Tsela dead. His murder has opened a new investigation, with Nelspruit Police urging anyone with information on the mob suspects to come forward. 

However, Brigadier Mohlala condemned the act despite empathy for the community’s anger. “While we understand the outrage over this woman’s murder, mob justice and lawlessness cannot be tolerated,” he stated.

Mashiyane’s family pleaded for calm and requested that Tsela’s killers be brought to proper justice. But tensions remain high as residents demand swift action against all responsible for the woman’s gruesome end.