Three men from Gauteng aged between 22 and 36 were burned to death in North West after an angry mob accused them of being drug dealers. It is alleged that members of the community burned down a house with three males inside, who they accuse of selling drugs.
The incident happened at Morokweng village outside Vryburg on Tuesday afternoon and has prompted the North West police to be on high alert. Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the police spokesperson said residents went to a rented house in the Ga-Mokgopha section, where the three men, alleged to have been from Carlonville in Gauteng, had lived.
“The house was allegedly pelted with stones, and in the process of escaping the attack, the victims allegedly stabbed and injured some of the attackers. The group then chased and caught the men, who were accused of dealing in drugs,” said Mokgwabobe.
He said the three alleged drug dealers were taken back to the house they were renting and were set alight while they were inside. All three men died from their burn wounds. A case consisting of charges of kidnapping, murder, and arson was opened but nobody has been arrested yet.
Mokgwabone said the police will remain in the area to restore order. “Members of the community are urged to remain calm and to work with the police through the Community Police Forum (CPF) to ensure that those who are behind these appalling acts are brought to book,” said Mokgwabone.
Source: IOL, News24, image from IOL: Courtney Africa African News Agency (ANA)
