Diepsloot, South Africa – Extra police were deployed to the township of Diepsloot on Sunday following a gruesome incident in which seven men were tied up and burned to death. The victims were accused of being involved in a crime wave that has plagued the community. Diepsloot, located north of Johannesburg, is known for its high rates of murder and rape.
Authorities began a murder investigation after the charred bodies of the seven young men were discovered. The incident was initially reported late Friday night when an alert was raised over two burned bodies. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of five more bodies in a nearby district of Diepsloot.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that in both incidents, the victims were assaulted and burned by the mob,” said police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo. The bodies of the five men, all believed to be around 20 years old, were found on a pile of bricks on wasteland in the town.
According to one resident, who spoke anonymously due to tensions in the township, the victims were chased, caught, tied up, and killed. The practice of using tyres or rope to restrain victims before setting them alight, known as “necklacing”, was employed in this case.
Community leaders feel that Diepsloot has been abandoned by authorities. Despite a steadily increasing murder rate in South Africa, they believe that the township has been overlooked. “There have been a lot of robberies and people are angry,” the resident stated.
In response to the incident, police have increased their presence in the area. However, no motive has been confirmed for the killings. Masondo emphasized that acts of vigilante justice are strongly condemned and constitute serious criminal offenses.
Authorities are urging residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to report any criminal activity to the police. The murder investigation into the shocking incident is ongoing.
