An Alex man appeared at the Alex Magistrates’ Court for theft while still licking his wounds after a severe beating by members of the public for his alleged misdemeanour.
He was released on bail and ordered to reappear in court again after investigations were concluded.
Alex police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Manare Ramotshela, said the man, who resides in 6th Avenue, was beaten up by a group of men for the alleged theft of a cellphone from a woman.
Ramotshela said the woman had been talking on the phone while walking along Sam Buti Avenue on 10 June. As she turned into 6th Avenue, the man approached her from behind, allegedly grabbed the phone and ran off, prompting the woman to scream for help. This attracted the attention of an approaching group of men who stopped and asked him why he was running.
They searched the man and allegedly found the phone in his pocket. The men are said to have beaten and kicked him severely until police patrolling the area came to his rescue. The police called for an ambulance, which took him to Edenvale Hospital for treatment. He remained there under police guard until his court appearance.
Ramotshela urged the public not to take the law into their own hands, as by doing so they would be committing a crime.
