Three young men have been beaten to death in a mob attack in Bethelsdorp, Port Elizabeth.
The deceased, who had been accused of committing various crimes in the area, have been identified as Lonwabo Mandraluwe and Duane Schultz - both aged 17 and Francois Pierce who was 22 years old.
Police Spokesperson Warrant Officer Alwin Labans says Mandraluwe's home was also burnt to the ground by an irate mob of some 300 people. His mother fled the scene unscathed.
Labans says police were called to the scene in Kumalo Street, Kwanoxolo, at around 7 o'clock on Tuesday evening, after being asked to assist ambulance and fire crews who were coming under attack by locals.
Labans says police found two of the bodies in the yard of the house and the third body in a nearby field.
He said the SAPS was condemning the incident as none of the three victims could be linked to any crime.
Labans again appealed to the community not to take the law into their own hands, but to follow the correct channels and inform the police.
A case of murder and arson has been opened, and at this stage there have been no arrests.
