Residents in Heideveld, Cape Town, are concerned by the rise in alleged mob justice killings, after two bodies were found at a train station in the suburb on Monday.

Two unidentified men were killed on Monday morning and their burnt bodies left near the Heideveld train station, News24 reported.

The motive for the murders was under investigation, said police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, but did not confirm allegations that mob justice was the motive.

However residents of Heideveld and neighbouring Gugulethu are apparently upset over the incident, claiming it is the second killing of its kind in three months, Eyewitness News reported on Monday.

According to a family member, one of the victims was known for breaking into homes and mugging people. On the day he was killed, he was seen being chased by a group of people just before the incident.

Another resident claimed the suspects were apprehended close to a bridge, before being doused with petrol and set alight.

Not a rarity

Various other mob justice killings have also been reported on the Cape Flats this year.

In June, a group of people were arrested after three men were set alight in an apparent mob justice attack in Lwandle, News24 reported.

A resident of Freedom Park had apparently accused the men of stealing a cellphone and cash. The upset community assaulted the men, aged 18 to 23, and they died after being necklaced with burning tyres.

In March, a 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with a mob justice attack in the Siyahlala informal settlement in Browns Farm.

It was understood that the suspect was one of several community members who assaulted three men suspected of robbing a community member, police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana had said. News24