Twenty one community members of the Gandlanani Village, outside Giyani, in Limpopo will be appearing before the local magistrate’s court today.
The 20 men and one woman are part of a group of residents who are said to have assaulted and burnt a local businessman yesterday.
They are facing charges of murder, public violence, arson and malicious damage to property.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Mojapelo has told Local Voices that the accused were initially charged with attempted murder, but that has now been changed since the passing away of the deceased.
The suspects also allegedly torched four vehicles, a business office and a house belonging to the owner’s parents.
The angry crowd accused the businessman, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital overnight, of involvement in the disappearance of a local young man.
The community had apparently consulted with a local sangoma, who blamed the deceased and two of his employees for the teenager’s disappearance.
Brigadier Mojapelo says charges are also being formulated against the traditional healer.