The community of Blackburn – KZN threatened to douse six (6) men with petrol and set them alight in Blackburn – KZN this morning (Monday).
Two (2) of the men were sought by a mob for a spate of crimes they allegedly committed in the area. The enraged mob apprehended four (4) men and beat them for information regarding the whereabouts of the wanted males. The community managed to apprehend the sought after suspects with the information received.
They marched the six (6) men to a soccer ground and bound their hands with rope and electrical cables. They thereafter beat them with sticks and planks. The crowd then threatened to douse them with petrol & torch them.
An onlooker contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at approximately 10:34 for assistance to rescue four (4) of the men who were not responsible for committing crimes in the area. Reaction Officers were immediately dispatched and found a crowd of approximately 100 people including men and woman hurling insults at the injured men.
It was established that one (1) of the suspects was released from Westville Prison a week ago after serving a sentence of seven (7) months for a burglary in Umhlanga – KZN. A second male was accused of robbing pedestrians of their valuables. The remaining four (4) males were not linked to any crimes. Four (4) of the injured sustained fractures to their arms after they attempted blocking blows being dealt to them during the attack.
The Verulam SAPS arrived shortly thereafter and are investigating further.
