Mob attacks four suspects

Another ugly incident of mob justice occurred in the centre of Louis Trichardt on Tuesday afternoon. Four suspects were seriously beaten by an angry crowd, presumably after one of them was pointed out as a handbag-snatcher.

From what could be established a woman made a withdrawal at an ATM in Songozwi Street. She was then followed by another woman who allegedly snatched her handbag. The alleged thief tried to escape with three companions in a white sedan.

An eyewitness, who did not want her name to be mentioned, said that members of the public reacted very quickly after the victim screamed for help. “They did not waste any time, they attacked the four suspects and smashed their car,” she said.

The spokesperson for the Makhado SAPS, Irene Radzilane, confirmed that a case of theft has been opened and four suspects have been arrested.

“One suspect is in a critical but stable condition at the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital whereas the other three are in police custody,” she said.

Radzilane appealed to members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, but allow the police officers to do their job.

The identities of the suspects have not yet been released and they will remain in police custody until they appear in court.

One of the bystanders on the scene mentioned that the suspects are known to stand in the queue at the ATM as if they want to withdraw money. Their real business is spotting unsuspecting victims who withdraw large amounts of money so that they can rob them.

News - Date: 05 February 2016

News Correspondent

Correspondent journalists from all over the region supply us with news and sport articles. 

Email: [email protected]