Mbombela (Nelspruit) – A man suspected of the murder of a neighbour’s 5-year-old daughter has been burnt to death in Mataffin, near Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
Suggestions were that a flammable liquid was poured onto the man, who is a well-known local traditional healer, before he was set alight allegedly by angry residents on Saturday night.
The suspected child killer, named “Mangebeletane Samuel Tsela” was previously arrested in connection with the brutal murder of five-year-old Bontle Mashiyane.
Last year, little Bontle was reported missing from her home in Masoyi, near Hazyview.
Her mutilated body was later found with parts missing.
Allegations were that Tsela abducted and killed the child, before using her body parts for muthi (traditional medicine) purposes.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said: “Bontle Mashiyane’s alleged murderer well known as Mangebeletane has been murdered… community members allegedly set him alight around 20:30 on Saturday”.
Mohlala said police and emergency medical services personnel quickly responded.
“Upon arrival, they found a burnt man lying on the ground. He was certified dead by medical practitioners on the scene,” said Mohlala.
Mpumalanga police commissioner Leiutenant Genera Semakaleng Manamela warned community memebrs against taking the law into their own hands.
“A murder case has been opened at Nelspruit Police Station following the burning of Magebeletane,” Mohlala said.
