By Staff Reporter
South Africa: Police have nabbed two suspects in the murder of an elderly woman from Mapetla, Soweto whom they had beaten after accusing her of being a witch.
According to the South African police, the incident of mob justice happened on March 26 this year.
In a statement, Gauteng police spokeswoman Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said the woman, Justina Sangweni, aged 59, succumbed to her injuries last week and police revised the case from attempted murder to murder.
“Following the concerted efforts of the (police) to not only apprehend the perpetrators behind the murder … but to also ensure that cases against the suspects are watertight towards a successful prosecution, police on Friday … arrested two suspects in Mapetla,” said Peters.
“The two suspects aged 27 and 28 are expected to make their first appearance today in the Protea magistrate court.”
Police said the slain woman was allegedly accused of witchcraft when in fact preliminary evidence showed she was mentally unwell.
