Two people were killed and a third seriously injured on Friday afternoon after a domestic dispute in Tjibeng Village, Limpopo, escalated into mob justice, police have confirmed.
According to police, a 38-year-old woman was found inside a residence with a fatal throat wound following an alleged domestic altercation with her 40-year-old boyfriend.
Officers were alerted after neighbours reported a disturbance at the home.
Police said the suspect fled through a rear window when family members intervened and was pursued by the victim’s 41-year-old brother.
During the chase, the brother was allegedly stabbed multiple times by the suspect and was later taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Community members then joined the pursuit and apprehended the suspect near a nearby tavern. Police said the man was assaulted by members of the public using stones and other objects.
Emergency medical services later pronounced the suspect dead at the scene due to severe injuries.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe condemned the mob justice incident and urged communities to allow law enforcement to deal with criminal matters within the confines of the law.
Investigations are continuing, and the identities of the deceased and the injured have not yet been released.