Six suspects are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates Court on Friday following their alleged involvement in a mob-justice murder.
The accused, between the ages of 17 and 62 allegedly killed a 40-year-old man who was accused of kidnapping and raping a nine-year-old girl.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani says the child was reported missing on Women's Day and the next day community members mobilised a search party.
She says they then found the suspect and brutally assaulted him with sjamboks, rocks and other objects.
Police were summoned to the scene where they rescued the victim who subsequently died from his injuries in hospital.
Some of the suspects have already appeared in court on separate charges of malicious damage to property after they slashed the tyres of the police bakkie that responded to the scene, before setting it alight.
