Police and crime prevention officers rescued a man from a mob justice attack at Garona Estate, next to Prestige College in Hammanskraal, north of Gauteng.

Tshwane police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johann van Dyk says officers were busy with their routine duties when they received a complaint about the incident.

“Upon arrival, they found the suspect (33) being held by the community.”

Van Dyk says two vehicles, a blue Audi and a silver-grey Ford Fiesta, were also found at the scene.

Police searched the vehicles

“In the boot of the Ford Fiesta, they found a shotgun firearm with a case number from Springs and six live ammunition rounds wrapped in plastic,” Van Dyk says.

The suspect claimed to be working as a security guard at a railway line.

He was apprehended for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

“The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing to find out whether it was used in the commission of other serious and violent crimes,” he adds.

An investigation is underway, and the suspect will appear in the Moretele Magistrate’s Court soon.

“If a person is suspected of having done a crime and is apprehended by the community, the community is urged to immediately call the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.”

Residents are encouraged to be aware that they can be criminally charged for participating in mob justice.