His wounds were the result of an alleged attack by his employer, who accused him of stealing money from him.
According to one resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, the incident took place in Alexandra on 1 September just before the store closed up for the day.
“The shop owner, where the victim has been employed for the past three months, accused the victim of stealing a large amount of money and demanded he pay it back immediately,” one resident said.
Despite denying taking the money, the employer, with three accomplices, allegedly proceeded to lock the victim in his store and kept him there for close to two hours, assaulting him with a hot iron and beating him up.
The victim, an immigrant from India, was rushed to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, where he was treated for burn wounds.
“Everyone gets angry, but as an individual, you cannot act without evidence under any circumstance” the shocked resident added.
Warrant Officer Moses Maphakele of the Bramley police, confirmed that a case had been opened at the Alexandra Police Station.
“The suspect was arrested and appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates’ court on charges of assault,” the spokesperson said.
The concerned resident stressed that this incident shook the neighbourhood. “As a community, we are shocked by this incident and we just want justice for the poor victim and his family,” he stressed.
The police are still investigating.
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