After two children were mistakenly believed to have been kidnapped in Shayamoya, outside Shakaskraal this morning, a 500-strong crowd chased down the man they thought to be responsible as he sought refuge at Umhlali police station.

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Capt Vinny Pillay said the boys had gone out bird hunting without telling anyone and no one had attempted to kidnap them.

He said the children’s grandmother had panicked when her neighbour thought she had seen the missing boys being pulled into a blue car.

When a blue car was spotted driving by the search party, the crowd tried to arrest the driver.

The driver, 49-year-old Glendale resident Maxwell Gamede, was lucky to escape unharmed.

Gamede works as a driver for a non-profit organization that works with the disabled in Glendale.

He said he had been driving from Glendale to Umdloti to pick up furniture.

“As I was driving towards the Shakaskraal SA Primary School there was a group of people on the road.

“They started throwing stones.

“I thought it was a protest and decided to drive through the township.”

As he drove on, he realised that two cars were chasing after him and people starting coming from all sides of the township, running towards him.

“I thought it was better to drive to the nearest police station,” said Gamede, clearly still in shock.

The car was searched by the police and no children or evidence of kidnapping were found.

He was allowed to leave and went to fetch his employers to vouch for his story.

After he left the crowd stormed into the station looking for him.

The station was under siege by the crowd, many waving cane knives, who were demanding justice.

SAPS Captain Vinny Pillay said the situation was volatile and potentially dangerous.

“We had to call in help from other police stations and local security companies to calm everyone down,” said Pillay.

They were furious with the police for allowing the “kidnapper” to leave.

He later returned to the station with his employers to explain himself to the police and ward councillors who had also arrived at the station.

The police then went out to the township and the children were found.

They appealed to the public not to spread fake news.

Residents said social media reports about children being killed and kidnapped in townships around KwaDukuza, including Shaka’s Head, Shakaskraal, Groutville and Ntshawini had had them worried.

Also read: Viral voice note: Shaka’s Head woman claims she was almost kidnapped

So when someone shouted that the car had been seen driving off with children, they said they had to react.

“This is a clear message to those people who go around kidnapping children, if they want to try their luck in our community, we are ready for them!

“It is unfortunate that this time we went after the wrong guy,” said a resident.