"They allegedly accused him of causing electricity failure in the area since many houses have electricity problems due to cable theft. He was allegedly assaulted, stabbed and hacked to death."

Colonel Jay Naicker said the man had head and body wounds when police found him on Thursday. He had not been identified.

"It is alleged that the deceased was caught cutting and stealing electricity cables when community members mobilised and assaulted him," Naicker said.

"They allegedly accused him of causing electricity failure in the area since many houses have electricity problems due to cable theft. He was allegedly assaulted, stabbed and hacked to death."

Naicker said the police had opened a case of murder, but that no arrests had been made.

Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni condemned the killing.

"We need to emphasise that any form of vigilantism will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison," she said in a statement.

"We urge members of the community to work together with the police and Community Policing Forums by giving them information about criminal activities in their areas so that criminals can be arrested. No person should take the law into their own hands."

Investigations continue.