Gatvol of continued break-ins in their neighbourhood, a group of Mandalay residents apparently stoned three alleged burglars to death in the early hours of Saturday morning.
One other man survived and was transported to hospital by EMS paramedics.
MOB JUSTICE: Photo: Supplied
A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were tired of hard-working families losing their possessions to heartless thieves.
He said they formed a neighbourhood watch and everyone was given a whistle.
“If you see anything crime-related, you blow your whistle and the neighbours will come help,” explains the 52-year-old resident.
He says he was one of the first men on the scene in Jamie Street, where the skelms came running out of a house.
“These guys come from other areas and scout our area all the time. Jamie Street, for some reason, is a regular target,” the man says.
“On Friday night, the homeowners were out when we heard a whistle and we all just headed out following the sound.
“These guys came barrelling out of the house and we gave chase. The younger guys got hold of them and their absolute arrogance is what turned the tide.
“We caught all four of them, and they were stoned. These are the same guys roaming around for food during the day and who we help.”
He says three of the men were killed on the scene as a mob of about 40 residents - men and women - took out their frustrations and stoned them.
The resident would not be drawn into saying what happened to the bodies of the dead men.
He said police and emergency services were called to the scene and the injured man was transported to hospital.
“We know it’s not the law, but these guys get away with these things all the time. We will not stand for this anymore. Stay away, we are not giving anything anymore,” the man warns.
The Daily Voice received images from the neighbourhood watch of four men who were badly beaten up with open wounds to their heads.
CASE: Noloyiso Rwexana. Photo: Supplied
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said on Sunday only one injured man was found on the scene, and that police had no knowledge of three people killed in a mob justice attack.
“A case of attempted murder was opened for investigation after an incident occurred in Jamie Street, Mandalay,” she says.
“Upon their arrival they found an unknown man with multiple injuries. He was transported to hospital for treatment. No one has been arrested so far.”