LAKESIDE – Siyabonga Ngcobo was accused of stealing an empty crate of beers and a R10 bulb from his neighbor’s house.
Following the accusations, he was then beaten by a mob of men including his druggy neighbor who wanted him to point where he sold them.
The 20-year-old said he was taken to a nearby tavern where he was stripped, chained and beaten to a pulp.
Speaking to Ster, Siyabonga said he feared for his life and admitted to stealing the crate.
“My neighbor said I stole his crate and bulb. When I told him I didn’t know what he was talking about, he started to beat me. He said he won’t stop until I agree that I stole for him. In order to save my life, I said I took it. He proceeded to beat me saying I should take him where I sold it, he said.
“I took him to a local tavern and said that’s where I sold the crate. I knew when we got there my life was going to be saved because the tavern owner will dispute me ever selling a crate to him,” said the bruised young man.
Failing to get the crate, the men who assaulted Siyabonga, started stripping him naked and continue with their gruesome deed.
“I kept running inside the tavern to save my threatened life. As if this was not enough, they punched me, kicked me and dragged me on the floor,” he added.
“I was then taken to my home where I was continued to be beaten while I was chained. My neighbor and his friend kept saying his going to kill me,” Siyabonga told the paper.
When another neighbor heard Siya’s screams, he knocked on the locked doors and windows begging for his life.
“if it wasn’t for that old man, I would be dead by now,” he said.
Siyabonga’s mother Doris (57) said she wanted the men who beaten his son to be arrested.
“I am saddened by the barbaric act of these neighbors. These are the same people I always help when they are having issues but for them to do this to my son breaks my heart,” she said.
The Ngcobo’s said this was not the first time the neighbor accuses Siyabonga of stealing for him and beating him.
Sedibeng Cluster police spokesperson Constable Thulisile Msibi said a case of assault GBH was opened.
“The suspect on the matter has not yet been arrested. Police are looking for him and if there is anyone who may know the whereabouts of the suspect can call the police,” she said.
