By Bulelwa Hoala
- Eight suspects aged 21 to 30 appeared in the Magatle Periodical Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody over two separate mob justice incidents in Limpopo.
- In the attacks, two men were killed, one in Ntamaties Village and another in Gedroogte Village, while a third victim was injured and taken to hospital.
- Police have condemned mob justice, urging communities to report suspected criminals, as the cases were postponed to 17 March 2026 and investigations continue.
Eight suspects aged between 21 and 30 have been remanded in custody after appearing in the Magatle Periodical Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 March 2026. They are linked to two separate mob justice-related incidents in the Magatle policing area in Limpopo.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), three of the suspects, John Magofa Khobo (30), Mohale Shilscar Motlaba (22), and Ronald Mohale (26), are accused of assaulting a man in Ntamaties Village on 11 March 2026. The victim was allegedly suspected of attempting to break into a house. He later collapsed and was declared dead at the scene.
In a separate incident on the same day, five other suspects, Sebothoma Tebogo (23), Leso Kagiso (21), Aphane Moshelemane Johannes (24), Tumisho Makhafola (22), and Johannes Sebothoma (27), were allegedly part of a group that attacked three men in Gedroogte Village.
“One of the victims, Mashabane George Aphane (56), sustained serious injuries and was declared dead at the scene, while another victim was taken to hospital for treatment,” SAPS said in a statement.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has warned communities against taking the law into their own hands.
“Community members are urged not to resort to violence when dealing with suspected criminals. Any person suspected of committing a crime must be reported to the police so that the matter can be handled through proper legal processes,” said Hadebe.
The cases were postponed to Tuesday, 17 March 2026, for further proceedings, while police investigations continue.
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