Limpopo Mob Justice: Zimbabwean Man Dies After Being Accused of Cable Theft, SA Weighs In
- A Zimbabwean man died after a mob assault in Limpopo, suspected of stealing electric cables
- The South African Police Service in Limpopo said the incident occurred on Tuesday, 20 January 2026
- Investigations suggest that the man was attacked by residents who accused him of theft
Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.
Source: Twitter
LIMPOPO - A Zimbabwean man has died following a mob assault in Lefara Village, Maake, Limpopo, after being accused of stealing electric cables.
Members gathered around the injured man
Police said the incident occurred on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, when officers responding to reports of a mob attack found community members gathered around the injured man. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Preliminary investigations suggest he was attacked by residents who accused him of theft.
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Limpopo Police Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe condemned acts of mob justice, warning that taking the law into one’s own hands is a serious criminal offence and urged communities to report suspected crimes to police. Investigations are ongoing.
South Africans weigh in
Social media users shared their thoughts on the mob justice incident.
Phaahla Phaahla said:
"Why don't police warn criminals not to do crime instead of warning those who deal with criminals?"
Thami Metsing said:
"They were not supposed to kill him. All they could have done was to take him to the police, the police would then take him to the Magistrate, and if found guilty, he would be fined or charged; if proven to be innocent, he would be set free and deported to his country."
Welly Wise Marufu said:
"Accused Zimbabwean man? How do they know he was a Zimbabwean?"
Webster Gotsani said:
"Crime is crime, no matter which place or nation you come from."
Belivious Billy Van'Kubs said:
"At home, they spent November and half of December without electricity, the reason was that they stole a cable and poles, all the stuff inside the fridge got rotten."
Source: Getty Images
Other crime-related stories
Two suspects have been arrested in Limpopo after community members intervened in the fatal stabbing of a 47-year-old Zimbabwean national at Ivydale plot in Westenburg. Police said one of the suspects was allegedly apprehended by residents and assaulted before officers arrived. The injured suspect was taken to the hospital, where he remains under police guard, while a second suspect was arrested the following day.
The South African Police in Limpopo have arrested a 56-year-old man in connection with a shooting that occurred in Mandela Village, Mashashane. Authorities said the suspect faces charges including murder, three counts of attempted murder, and pointing a firearm.
KwaZulu-Natal family of 4 killed while celebrating New Year’s Day
Briefly News previously reported that a KwaZulu-Natal family lost four members after a shooting took place in Port Shepstone during New Year's Day celebrations.
The incident is believed to have happened after midnight, and the circumstances leading to the shooting remain unknown.
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Source: Briefly News
