The bloodshed is continuing in Philippi following the brutal killing of three more people in an alleged vigilante attack.

The bodies of three unknown men were found in the Siqualo informal settlement, Weltevreden Road, Philippi, at approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 15 November. The victims were found set alight.

The provincial police commissioner, Thembasile Patekile, has condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms.

“Acts of mob justice are criminal and pose a direct threat to the safety and stability of our communities. No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances. Such actions undermine the justice system and fuel further violence.”

Detectives are following all available leads to identify the victims and trace those responsible.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist the investigation has been asked to contact the police immediately, by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or through the MySAPS mobile application.

The township has seen several murders over the past few weeks.

Earlier this month, police announced that they had made a breakthrough by linking the murders of seven men in October to another brutal incident in September.

In both of these incidents, the victims were also set alight.

Five suspects are in the dock for the nine murders that have been linked, after witnesses came forward.