Two women were beaten, stripped naked and set on fire by a mob who blamed them for the death of a 12-year-old boy, reports say.
The killings were said to have been motivated by the discovery of Abelo Muila's body in a river, following his disappearance while playing with friends last month.
The attack took place in Ha-Mashau Misevhe village, in Limpopo, South Africa, on Friday morning.
Members of the community gathered together after the boy was found and decided to take the law into their own hands.
The crowd killed Esther Mudziwa and 66-year-old Sarah Hulumeni, according to Review Online .
Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said: "At about 10pm, they mobilised themselves, attacked the two women with various objects, stripped them naked before setting them alight.
"One woman was certified dead on the scene whereas another died later in hospital. When the police arrived at the scene, the crowd had already dispersed.
"Further preliminary investigation revealed that following this gruesome incident, the crowd proceeded to the yard belonging to a 79-year-old man and burned all his three houses.
"The victim managed to escape without injuries."
Police arrested two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, over the mob killings on Saturday.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba said officers would 'deal mercilessly with every person who resorts to taking the law into their own hands'.
He added: "Community members are warned to refrain from these heinous acts and that they should instead cooperate with the police.”
A church pastor was arrested in Limpopo last month for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl, after telling her mum she needed to go away with him for 'healing'.
