Members of the South African Police Service at Pienaar, near Nelspruit have arrested a 37 year old man whilst a number of accomplices are still sought in relation to the death of two men aged 24 and 29.

Information at police disposal suggests that yesterday, 31 December 2018, the two victims were picked up from a section called Etinkomeni in Msogwaba and taken to a secluded place where they were severely assaulted until they died. Their bodies were then abandoned on the street.

It is further reported that the murder stems from developments wherein the arrested suspect’s house was broken into between the evening of 30 and morning of 31 December 2018, subsequent to that the suspect and a number of his friends then conducted their own investigation. It is as a result of such unauthorised investigation that led them to the two victims, hence the acts of vgilantism and their subsequent death, with their bodies being dumped close to the road around the area.

Police were alerted by passers-by who spotted the bodies and immediately an investigation was launched which pointed to the suspect and his accomplices. It was during swift action by police that enabled them to arrest the suspect this afternoon while more arrests are imminent.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma appealed to members of the community to desist from taking the law into their own hands, but to report and leave criminal matters to the appropriate authorities.

Anyone with information that may assist police to further their investigation or lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects, is urged to contact Capt Vusi Thobela at 082 469 1956 or the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service