A gruesome murder has shaken the community of Mooinooi in North West, where a 35-year-old Lesotho national was found naked, tied up, and set alight in bushes near an informal settlement. According to police spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, the victim’s corpse was discovered in the Khlamtwna informal settlement on Thursday night, with his hands tied behind his back and his body badly burned.
The police initially responded to a complaint that a person had been murdered, and upon arrival at the scene, they met a woman who identified herself as the deceased’s girlfriend. She indicated that she had received information that her boyfriend had been murdered and left in nearby bushes. As police approached the scene, they noticed flames, indicating that something was burning.
Allegations of Cattle Theft
During preliminary investigations, the deceased’s girlfriend alleged that the victim had been forcefully apprehended by a group of unknown community members, who accused him of stealing their cattle. The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder, and the South African Police Service has warned community members against taking the law into their own hands.
Acting police commissioner of North West, Major General Dr Ryno Naido, condemned the incident and urged residents to report suspected criminal activities to the police, so that such matters can be dealt with through proper legal processes. The police are calling on anyone with information that can assist in their investigations to come forward.
Investigation Ongoing
The police are working to identify the suspects involved in the murder and are appealing to the public for assistance. A 38-year-old man is currently in custody in an unrelated case, after allegedly murdering his wife and leading police to a stream where her body was hidden inside a recycling bag.
- The police are investigating a murder in Mooinooi, North West
- A 35-year-old Lesotho national was found naked, tied up, and set alight
- The victim was allegedly accused of stealing cattle by community members
- The police are warning community members against taking the law into their own hands
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of communities in the area, and the police are working to ensure that those responsible for the murder are brought to justice.
