NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned an incident in which a man, aged 31 was hacked to death then torched by five male suspects on Monday night, 28 March 2022 at Kwa Mgodi area in Piet Retief.

According to the report, on the said day around 19h15 a certain man was at home with his wife and child when a group of five men, armed with bush knives entered their home. They then held the family at hostage ans dragged the husband outside whilst the wife and kid were kept inside. The man was then allegedly hacked by the suspects until he gave up. Thereafter the suspects reportedly pulled his body into a certain rondavel before setting it alight. The men are said to have then fled the scene.

The authorities were informed about the incident and police at Piet Retief opened a murder case with a count of arson hence the manhunt. The identity of the murdered man has since been revealed by his family as Mr Mxolisi Ndlela. The motive for his killing is unknown at this stage however police are proceeding with their probe but they cannot rule out the possibility that the murder incident could be witchcraft related.

The police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service