An angry mob from Phomolong Section allegedly stoned and stabbed two middle-aged suspected criminals with spades at the Birch Acres Shopping Centre on Saturday.
The incident happened at around 10am in the morning after the suspects allegedly robbed a spaza shop in Phomolong.
One suspect, who was armed, died at the scene.
His accomplice, who was lucky to survive, was critically injured and transported to hospital by paramedics from the Ekurhuleni Emergency Services.
It is believed the mob chased the two suspects from the Phomolong Shopping Centre until they caught them at the front gate of the Birch Acres Shopping Centre.
An eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous, said the suspects tried to hide in an open veld next to the Sophia Town Informal Settlement.
“They tried to flee from the open veld and jumped into one of the local taxi’s. The taxi driver stood there and did not help them. The suspects then jumped into another taxi to escape, but there was again, no help from the driver. The mob then caught the suspects. The suspects were then beaten with stones and spades,” said the eyewitness.
The man said the mob stopped beating the suspects and fled when the police arrived.
“The suspect who survived was rescued by the police’s arrival. Otherwise, they would have both been killed,” he said.
According to the Tembisa South SAPS station commander, Colonel Samuel Maredi, the police recovered an unlicensed firearm at the scene.
“A case of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm was opened. Investigation are underway. We urge residents to not take the law into their own hands,” he said.
No arrests have been made with regards to the mob.
