Chaotic scenes unfolded outside the capital Bhisho on Tuesday evening after a department of health vehicle collided with a cow creating a feeding frenzy for locals.
Hundreds of residents stormed the crash scene with axes and knives and slaughtered the wounded animal, King William's Town police spokesperson Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said.
Mawisa said one person was injured in the collision and was taken to Bhisho hospital.
The accident took place on the bridge linking Bhisho and Zwelitsha on Independent Avenue. The bridge crosses above the N2 between Breidbach and King William's Town.
On Tuesday evening Mawisa said: "The community slaughtered the cow and the police are on the scene to monitor the situation."
A concerned motorist called the Dispatch at 7.28pm saying traffic had come to standstill on the bridge. "Many people and police cars are at the bridge. Something big has happened. I could not cross."
Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose was still investigating the incident at the time of writing...