A 57-year-old has been arrested for two counts of assault and grievous bodily harm, one of them, the assault of a 17-year-old.
The man and members of the community first assaulted a 27-year-old, accusing him of being involved in stock theft in the Hilltop area, Dannhauser. The 27-year-old was assaulted with a sjambok and rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
The 57-year-old is alleged to have also assaulted a 17-year-old with the help of two accomplices, a 30-year-old and a 41-year-old.
The youngster was also accused of being involved in stock theft.
The trio appeared in the Dannhauser Magistrate’s Court and were granted R1 000 bail each.
“We as the police condemn cases where the community takes the law into their own hands by punishing the people allegedly involved in criminal activities themselves.
“The community is encouraged to assist the police in catching the criminals but should not punish them,” Sgt Nyembe warned.
