Vigilante Violence Escalates: ‘Child Snatcher’ Killed, Five Face Court Charges
Polokwane – Five individuals arrested in connection with a mob justice incident, where a man accused of luring a 9-year-old with “R10 for sweets” was fatally attacked, are scheduled to appear in court on Monday, 14 September 2025.
The mob justice event took place in Makgaung village, Limpopo, a week ago, after local residents chased and apprehended the suspect near the sports ground.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba provided details about the tragic incident, stating that the suspect allegedly offered a nine-year-old from Makgaung Village R10 to buy sweets before fleeing with the child.
According to IOL, community members became suspicious and began pursuing him.
IOL quoted Colonel Ledwaba: “He reportedly abandoned the child and ran towards the stream, where the community continued their pursuit.”
“The suspect was allegedly found hiding in the stream and was stoned by the group until he succumbed to his injuries.”
“Emergency services and police were called to the scene, where the individual was pronounced dead.”
Over the weekend, police announced the arrest of “five suspects, aged between 30 and 40, in connection with the brutal killing of an unidentified man during a mob justice incident on Tuesday night, 9 September 2025, in Polokwane City.”
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that the suspects were arrested at different locations across the city in the early hours of Thursday, 11 September 2025.
Limpopo Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the community for their crucial role in providing information leading to the arrests.
“This progress highlights the importance of strong partnerships between law enforcement and communities,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe.
“While mob justice remains a significant issue in the province, this case illustrates that by working together within the law, we can ensure offenders face the courts instead of allowing lawlessness to prevail.”
The five suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 September 2025, on a murder charge.
Colonel Ledwaba indicated that investigations are ongoing.
