Alleged thief gets mob justice
Police warn residents about taking law into their own hands.
A young man narrowly escaped death when he was served mob justice by residents of Mapetla last week. This comes after he was accused of stealing clothes from a number of houses in the area.
A according to residents, the young man who is between the ages of 18 and 25, is suspected to be smoking nyaope and he steals items in some households and sell them in order to buy the drugs.
The teenager was allegedly found in a house in Mapetla trying to steal washing which was hanged in the washing line.
As he tried to run away he was caught by residents who started beating him with shamboks, belts and fists among other things.
The young man admitted to be stealing but denied stealing other things from the community as many residents were complaining about having their houses broken into.
A resident who wanted to remain anonymous said he once spotted the young man in a yard recently but he did not mind him until the people living in the house complained that their shoes were stolen.
That is when he realised that the teenager might have stolen the items. Residents have made it their task to punish those who are suspected of stealing from them.
After the beating the teenager was left with injuries and he managed to leave the area.
According to Moroka Police Station spokesperson, Mpande Khoza they did not receive any call regarding the matter and he warned residents not take the law into their hands in such situations but they should report the matter to the police.
“We are appealing to residents that they should not take the law into their own hands when they apprehend a suspect but they should report the matter to the police,” said Khoza.
He said when people take the law into their hands, petty thieves are stoned, burglars are beaten to death and that is a criminal offence.
Some residents said they were tired of having their items stolen decided to take action.
