Mob kills suspected witches in South Africa

A witch hunt is believed to be behind the killings of two people, one hacked to death and the other burned alive, in South Africa.

Four people were injured in the attack in Slovo Park, Eastern Cape, after a mob descended on two homes where they believed witchcraft was being practised, France24 reports.

A woman, 67, was severely burned and died when the group set her flat alight in the first incident late Monday. Her grandson, 16, was stabbed but survived the attack while a 6-year-old girl escaped unhurt.

About 30 minutes later, the home of a 62-year-old woman was set alight. She was stabbed and sustained burns and was in a critical condition in hospital, Lieutenant-Col Mzukisi Fatyela reportedly said, adding that no arrests had yet been made.

Her 35-year-old son was hacked to death and another son and daughter, aged 25 and 30, were in hospital with stab wounds and burns.

Five grandchildren escaped unhurt.