Six people have been arrested in Newscom near Pienaar after a man was killed in what police believe to be a mob justice incident.

According to reports, the events unfolded on Sunday, 28 September 2025. The deceased, a 53-year-old man, allegedly attempted to rape a 23-year-old non-verbal woman while she was alone at home. The young woman later reported the matter to her mother, who confronted the man at a local shop. It is understood that the matter was settled at that point.

However, later the same day, the man allegedly returned to the woman’s home and began throwing stones at the house. The mother raised the alarm, and community members reportedly came to her aid. The man was then assaulted by a group of residents.

A video of the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting police investigations. On Thursday, 2 October 2025, six suspects aged between 19 and 59 were arrested and charged with murder. They are scheduled to appear before the Kanyamazane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 6 October 2025.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, condemned the killing and warned communities against taking the law into their own hands.

“We urge communities to report criminal acts to the police rather than resorting to violence. Mob justice is a serious crime, and those who participate in it will face the full might of the law,” he said.