The suspects are expected to appear in the Fouriesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday (7/9) after the incident at the Mashaeng commonage. Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring said the shepherd was beaten to death after allegedly being accused of livestock theft.

“On Thursday (3/9), police attended a murder scene at the commonage and found a male person dead. The deceased had sustained multiple bruises to his upper body and injuries to his eyes.”

The investigation revealed the deceased was a foreign national shepherd who was purportedly accused of stealing a lamb. “It is alleged that he slaughtered the lamb near a local dam and threw parts of the carcass into the water; only the head and legs were subsequently found.”

The mob justice investigation led to the arrest of an initial suspect who was allegedly found in possession of a cell phone that belonged to the deceased. “Further investigation resulted in the arrest of eleven additional suspects. A total of twelve suspects, aged between 24 and 59, have been arrested and charged with murder.”

Ten of the suspects are foreign nationals, while two are South African citizens from Mashaeng township. The Free State provincial commissioner Lt. Gen. Thabang Lesia welcomed the arrest and condemned acts of mob justice.

“People suspected of committing crimes must be handed over to the police to allow investigations to take place. Taking law into your own hands is not a solution to crime.”

Those found to have committed offences will be brought before the courts to face justice, he added. Members of the community are urged to work with the police by reporting criminal activities and allowing law enforcement agencies to deal with suspected offenders within the confines of the law.

OFM News sm