POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA, Feb 17 — Limpopo Province Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola has assembled a team of senior investigators to focus on violent attacks in the Zimbabwean community in Thohoyandou in the northern South African province.

Two Zimbabwean nationals were killed and three injured after a group of their fellow countrymen attacked them after accusing them of being responsible for criminal activities such as burglaries and robberies in the area.

Police said Sunday the victims had been hacked and stabbed. Some had started blaming foreigners for being responsible for such crimes.

The area is a transit point for illegal border jumpers who walk through the villages to catch transport in Thohoyandou — which is near the border with Zimbabwe — and travel to other parts of South Africa.

However, even locals have been arrested before for several criminal activities. Women who walk alone are said to be the main targets of criminals as they are robbed of cell phones and other valuables.

Nthambeleni Netili, one of the recent victims, said she was walking to church during the day when she was robbed.

Local police spokesperson Avhafarei Tshiovhe said law-abiding Zimbabwean nationals organized themselves and attacked their fellow countrymen suspected of being responsible for crimes in the area. The police managed to arrest ten suspect who will appear in court soon.

Source: SABC