The neighbourhood is in shock and terror following the most recent Diepsloot vigilantism attack, in which seven young men were burned to death.
Five individuals were killed in two separate attacks by enraged crowds; two more men who were accused of terrorising the town by committing small crimes were also killed.
The seven young guys, some of whom were as young as 16 or 21, were cornered by the mob on Friday night, December 1, and they were burned alive.
Early on Saturday morning, December 02, two dead were located in Extension 13 and a pile of burnt-out bodies was uncovered in Extension 12.
Katlego Mphuthi (20) was the only person who was not burnt beyond recognition so his family could identify him.
He was among 7 people who were set alight by mphakathi in Diepsloot on Saturday being accused of crime around the area. pic.twitter.com/TE3zLv0nc3
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) December 3, 2023
The only corpse that was not completely destroyed by fire was that of 21-year-old Katlego Mphuthi.
After identifying the child, his family said they were shocked and saddened by his horrific death and that it wasn’t right because the boys hadn’t been caught stealing.
Elias Mawela, the commissioner of Gauteng Police, has denounced the vigilante event in Diepsloot and stated that police are pursuing the perpetrators nonstop.
This is not the first instance of mob punishment in Diepsloot; a Zimbabwean national was also killed there last year after irate neighbours accused him of committing crimes.
In the middle of the night, the group broke into Elvis Nyathi’s house, stoned him, and then lit him on fire.
