VANDERBIJLPARK – Two young men said to be between the ages of 17 and 19 years old were assaulted by a mob after being alleged to have stolen a cellphone from a college student on Monday, November 21.
According to information at our disposal, the duo ambushed a 20-year-old female student who was leaving Vanderbijlpark town, going to her place of residence just outside the civic center.
Armed with a machete, the young men who attend school at Thuto Lore Secondary School in Sharpeville robbed the woman and proceeded with their walk to town.
Unaware, the victim followed the duo to one of the restaurants in the civic center to sell the stolen item.
After the transaction, the two grade 10 pupils continued to the taxi rank, where the victim reported them to taxi operators who apprehended the men and beat them to a pulp.
Scores of commuters gathered at the taxi rank to witness what was termed “the taxi rank justice”.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, the victim, whose name is withheld to protect her said “I was walking a stone throw away from town when these two young men ambushed me. They produced a machete and told me to give them my phone. I tried to run out of fear, but they managed to take my phone and ran towards town.”
“I followed them when they relaxed and thought I had given up my phone. They went to sell my phone to a group of foreign nationals before continuing their robbing spree,” she said.
The visibly shaken woman said “They thought I fled after the robbery but little did, they know that I followed them. I walked behind them as they went to sell my phone to their client. All I want is my phone.”
After the beating, the duo was paraded in the taxi precinct until the men were taken to a restaurant and game shop where the alleged buyer of the phone was.
All hell broke loose when police arrived at the scene and rescued the young boys.
Despite the police taking in the duo, Sedibeng Ster is informed that the phone was retrieved and no arrest or case was opened.
“The boy’s parents were called to the police station after the boys were taken in. After talks, the victim said she found her phone and refused to open a case. The young men were released to their parents who took them to a local hospital,” said an insider.
