A group of angry community members from Ext. 11 assaulted Motshabi Maleshane (28) on his way home from work just after 19:00 on Sunday.

According to the hospital spokesperson, Modiri Mompati, he was suffering from crush syndrome inflicted by the heavy beatings. The damage to his muscles was so severe that he could still suffer renal failure and, if not closely monitored, could go into shock. The nurses have to check his blood and urine regularly.

Maleshane’s horror started just after he got out of the taxi after selling fresh produce at the taxi rank on Sunday.

‘After I had walked a few steps, a man screamed at me; he was with three other men. After a moment, another group of people appeared. I was terrified and decided to backtrack and run away because in Ext. 11, it ‘s very dangerous at night.

‘Unfortunately, they caught me and tore the clothes off my body and took them, my keys, money and phone. They started hitting me with sjamboks and stones. During the assault, I also lost my prosthetic eye. They were all shouting at the same time and I couldn’t hear what they were saying. My whole body was aching; I’ve never felt such excruciating pain in all my life. All I could think about was dying and lying in the mortuary.

‘I was relieved to see the police van on patrol; I immediately ran and climbed in the back.’

According to the police officer who visited him, Maleshane has been accused of raping a girl, an allegation that he vehemently denies.

‘I want to plead with the community patrollers to ensure that, in their quest to fight crime, they do not bring criminals on board. Anyone could take advantage of this initiative to target innocent members of the community. In the end, someone is going to die. There are other ways to get their message across,’ he said.

Maleshane was very close to tears when he said his family almost lost a breadwinner. ‘I support three younger brothers in high school and a primary school boy. My mother is an asthma patient. They have all been dependent on me since my father passed away three years ago.’

Maleshane is going to open a case against his assailants when he is discharged. ‘The justice system will deal with them for taking the law into their own hands,’ he said.