Police are investigating a case in which a 36-year-old Thaba-Tseka man was allegedly killed by a mob after being fingered in his stepdaughter’s death.
Police spokesperson Clifford Molefe said investigations suggest the man died as a mob tried to arrest him on 19 January.
“Police investigations have so far revealed that a two-year-old child disappeared on 14 January in Lesobeng, Thaba-Tseka. Villagers organised a search party the same day but the child was never found until 19 January, when a woman fetching firewood in the mountain discovered her corpse,” Senior Inspector Molefe said.
“The corpse was burnt and it is suspected she was killed by her stepfather who allegedly continuously abused the child saying she wasn’t his daughter.”
Senior Inspector Molefe said villagers confronted the suspect soon after the corpse was discovered and he died as they tried to arrest him.
“Thaba-Tseka police are investigating the cause of the man’s death, as well as that of the child,” he said.
Senior Inspector Molefe warned against the abuse of children, saying they never choose to be in such difficult circumstances.
