Man accused of being Kempton Park serial killer beaten to death

A former Kempton Park resident was allegedly beaten to death by community members in Emalahleni after he was accused of being linked to a series of murders in Ekurhuleni.

Vusimuzi Radebe was reportedly walking from his grandmother’s home in Kwaguqa towards Lynville on Saturday, 19 September, when residents stopped him and questioned him about where he lived and where he had come from.

READ | Ekurhuleni murders: Police are ‘getting closer to the truth’

Fuelled suspicions

According to his family, Radebe explained that he had previously lived in Kempton Park before returning to Emalahleni with his retired parents about a month ago.

The family believes the mention of Kempton Park may have fuelled suspicions that he was involved in the killings of women in Ekurhuleni.

Radebe was allegedly assaulted by a group of community members and died at the scene.

His family described him as a quiet man who was simply making his way home.

“He was simply walking home. He was a human being – someone’s son, grandson and loved one,” the family said.

A relative, Nonhlanhla Mathobela, questioned why Radebe was treated as a suspect without evidence linking him to any crime.

“We are hurt that he died like that while he is innocent, over something he did not do,” she said.

Police investigate alleged vigilantism

Mpumalanga police have opened a murder case and launched a manhunt following the alleged attack.

Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said officers responded to a complaint in Vosman and found Radebe on the ground with visible injuries.

Emergency medical personnel attended the scene but Radebe was declared dead.

“The motive for the attack cannot be confirmed at this stage and forms part of the ongoing investigation,” Masondo said.

Police have urged residents not to take the law into their own hands.

“Regardless of the alleged crime committed, no one has the right to assault or kill another person,” Masondo said.

Serious criminal offence

Mpumalanga provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Apaphia Modise said resources had been mobilised to identify those responsible.

“Taking the law into your own hands is a serious criminal offence and will never be tolerated,” Modise said.

The attack comes amid heightened concern over a series of women’s deaths in Ekurhuleni.

Nine bodies had been discovered by 17 September, but authorities have not established that all the cases are connected or that they were committed by one person.