Four alleged robbers who were beaten by community members were remanded in custody by Alexandra Magistrates’ Court pending further investigation.
The gang from Diepsloot appeared before Magistrate Renier Boshoff assisted by state prosecutor Lufuno Maphiri and were charged with aggravated robbery which occurred midday on 2 May in Midrand.
Read: Robbers beaten by residents before being handed over to police
They allegedly followed and stopped a man in a veld as he walked home from work. At knifepoint. they demanded his cell phone and a R10 note which he handed over out of fear.
When they left him, the victim sought help which he received from security guards who went looking for the gang. Suddenly the gang was running back towards the guards with a mob and other guards chasing them. The four were caught and beaten by the mob for unspecified reasons.
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The victim reported the robbery to the police as they arrested the four.
One of the men appeared in court on crutches from injuries sustained in the beating after he was treated at Thembisa hospital. The victim’s items were recovered.
