Man suspected of ‘raping six-year-old girl’ stoned to death by angry South African mob

The man is yet to be identified

South African police have opened a murder inquiry and a rape investigation (AFP/Getty Images)

A man has been stoned to death by residents of a housing estate in Durban, South Africa, after they accused him of attempting to rape a six-year-old girl.

The body of the 40-year-old man was found earlier this week in a bushy area near a petrol station west of Durban city centre.

Police have opened a murder inquiry into the death.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said the unknown man was killed by a mob on Monday afternoon.

“It is alleged that at about 13:30, at Clare Estate, an unknown man believed to be in his forties was assaulted to death by community members after he attempted to rape a 6-year-old girl,” he said.

“A case of rape was also opened for investigation,” he added.

Durban's Sydenham police are leading the investigation. No arrests have been made yet.