Tsolo

Johannesburg - Eastern Cape police have shot dead a man in Tsolo when a group of people tried to slaughter a cow that had been hit by a car.

The driver reported Sunday's accident to the police, who arrived and found residents slaughtering the animal, which was still alive, spokesman Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said on Monday.

Violence erupted when residents were told to stop what they were doing as it amounted to stock theft.

“Police fired two warning shots and a man was fatally wounded. Another one was shot in the hand.”

A group of angry residents marched to the police station, accusing the police of murder.

On Monday morning, part of the R396 between Tsolo and Maclear was barricaded with stones and other objects.

“They just barricaded the road and left,” Fatyela said.

Motorists were advised to avoid the road until it was cleared. A murder and attempted murder docket had been opened. - Sapa