A woman who allegedly shackled her daughter to a rafter in their informal home and left was assaulted by members of the community upon her return home in Redcliffe, in Durban, yesterday afternoon.

Prem Balram, spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), says they were called by a resident of an area popularly known as Sandpit asking for help after a mob began assaulting the mother.

“According to the caller, residents walking past the informal home peered through a window and noticed a girl child shackled with a metal chain.

“The chain was fastened with a lock. The opposite end was secured to a rafter along the roof. The child is believed to be about seven years old,” says Balram.

He says when reaction officers arrived, they met with police officers from the Verulam SAPS.

“It was established that the woman restrained her child before leaving this morning.

“Upon her return, the mob began assaulting her with sticks. The woman fled into her home and locked the door to flee the furious crowd.”

Balram says the mother and child were removed from the home and taken to the Verulam police station.