Police have opened a murder investigation after two men were killed in an alleged Limpopo mob justice attack in the Vhembe District on Tuesday night, 30 June 2026.
The men were reportedly accused of raping a 29-year-old foreign national before community members allegedly assaulted them. Police have condemned the killings and urged residents to allow the criminal justice system to handle suspects lawfully.
Police Investigate Limpopo Mob Justice Killings
According to The Citizen, officers from the Mphephu policing area responded to a reported mob attack in Khomele Garaside at about 11pm on Tuesday. When police arrived, they found two men lying in a pile covered with pieces of wood that were feeding a small fire.
Emergency personnel declared both men dead at the scene. Police said the victims had severe assault injuries, while burn wounds were visible on the lower parts of their bodies.
The men had not been identified by Wednesday. Police also said no suspects had been identified and called on the public to help trace those involved.
“Preliminary information indicates that the deceased were allegedly assaulted by members of the community after they were accused of raping a 29-year-old foreign national,” Limpopo police said, according to The Citizen. Police added that both the alleged rape and the killings form part of the ongoing investigation.
SAPS Condemns Vigilantism After 30 June Marches
Limpopo police commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers condemned the alleged Limpopo mob justice attack and warned that communities may not take the law into their own hands.
“Mob justice is a serious criminal offence and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” Scheepers said, according to The Citizen. “We urge communities to allow the criminal justice system to deal with suspects through lawful processes instead of resorting to violence.”
The incident happened on the same day as nationwide anti-illegal immigration marches. Natjoints later said 120 marches took place across the country on 30 June, with 12 needing law enforcement intervention.
Natjoints chair Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said more than 900 people were arrested during operations linked to the day’s events. The arrests included cases involving alleged looting, public violence, harbouring undocumented migrants and immigration-related offences.
Free State Arrests and Looting reported
In a separate Free State case, Lyndon Adentuji Odili, 56, was arrested after 18 undocumented migrants were allegedly found inside his Bloemfontein guesthouse. The Citizen reported that he was released on R10,000 bail and is expected back in court on 31 July 2026.
Free State police said he faces 18 counts linked to harbouring, aiding, abetting, assisting, enabling or helping illegal foreigners in contravention of the Immigration Act.
Although Natjoints said none of the eight Free State marches reported unrest, provincial police reported looting in several areas. Police said shops were looted in Sunrise View, Petrus Steyn, Tumahole and Vredefort, while 19 suspects were arrested and items, drugs and a firearm were confiscated.