Teen who assaulted his mother beaten to death in Limpopo

A 17-year-old from Siloam, outside Thohoyandou, was beaten to death by community members after allegedly assaulting his mother, Limpopo police said on Tuesday.

The incident happened at the weekend, said Col Moatshe Ngoepe.

He said it appeared that the teenager was attacking his mother with a sharp instrument which led to the community members "responding in numbers to rescue the woman".

They allegedly assaulted him with various objects until he died. The boy was also accused of a number of crimes committed over a period of time, he added.

Eight people were arrested in connection with the death and will be appearing in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court.

Police said this was one of three mob incidents in the province in as many days.

In the early hours of Saturday, a man caught allegedly trying to break into a house was severely beaten with various objects by community members as they waited for police to arrive.

A case of assault was opened but no arrests had been made.

The suspect was expected to appear in court soon on burglary charges.

The third incident happened on Monday where three people were caught in the Masemola area and accused of making off with eight cows which had been loaded on to a trailer. Their vehicle was stopped by members of the community.

"Instead of calling the police, they brutally assaulted the suspects and further attempted to burn them alive with tyres until they were rescued by the police who were conducting routine patrol duties," said Ngoepe.

The three are being treated for serious injuries. One was in a critical condition.

"The suspects will be processed on allegations of possession of stolen livestock," Ngoepe said, adding that no one had been arrested for the assault.

Police called on community members to stop taking the law into their own hands.