Murder investigation launched after suspected robber burned to death in Philippi

A man suspected of robbery was stoned, beaten and burned to death by residents of Browns Farm, Philippi, on Monday morning.

Residents said the 25-year-old man was a known criminal in the area who had been caught before.

He was alleged to have been committing a house robbery on Monday morning when he was caught in the act. He was dragged to a park and beaten unconscious with planks and sjamboks by about 30 people.

Residents said he admitted to committing the crimes. A car tyre was placed on top of him and set alight.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said a murder case is under investigation.

Residents spoke to GroundUp on condition of anonymity. They said that the man was killed because the police and justice system cannot be trusted.

The man was previously handed over to the police but released soon thereafter, residents alleged.

“People are fed up and disappointed with the police and the justice system, and are now forced to take the law into their own hands,”said a resident. “This will teach other would-be criminals that when you do crime, you pay with your life. You die.”

“He screamed for mercy and begged for forgiveness, but it was too late; the people wanted him dead.”

Community leader Mncedi Mlibo condemned residents taking the law into their own hands. He said the police should always be called when someone is suspected of a crime.

GroundUp is a not-for-profit news agency known for its focus on public interest stories within vulnerable communities with a "bottom-up" style of reporting.

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