Nine arrested over mob justice in Rustenburg

Nine people accused of public violence related to the death of three men in North West were arrested on Tuesday, police said.

Aged between 30 and 47, they were taken into custody in Rustenburg, Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said.

Three men were killed in separate attacks and properties were set alight in the Freedom Park informal settlement in Rustenburg.

Two of the victims were Lesotho nationals, who were suspected of having been behind an attack on two men at a local tavern on Saturday, said Ngubane.

One of the foreigners was caught by a mob on Sunday. He was taken to a tavern and burnt alive, said Ngubane.

The same mob also grabbed the second Lesotho man and stripped him naked. He tried to escape by running into a neighbour's shack but was caught and murdered.

Both foreigners were found dead with stab wounds, Ngubane said.

The third victim, a local businessman, was killed on Monday because people suspected him of having harboured the Lesotho men.

About 5000 people looted his shop, set it on fire and killed him. Several shacks were also torched.

The nine people were expected to appear in the Bafokeng Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of public violence.