Crime turns residents into vigilantes
The criminal caught in the act of stealing and severely beaten by residents has reportedly succumbed to his injuries.
The thief assaulted by resident of Philip Nel Park last week has reportedly died.
The 28-year-old, and his accomplice, was caught in the act breaking into a house to steal a Plasma screen TV and severely assaulted by residents in a brutal case of mob justice.
Rekord has been unable to obtain independent confirmation but residents said the man had since passed away.
Police spokesperson captain Louise Reed-Steynberg said the man was assault on the morning of 11 February.
“Two suspects broke into a house in Gustav Schmikl Street, Philip Nel Park. They forced open a door and found their way into the house where they took jewellery and cellphones. A neighbour saw the suspects and phoned the police and residents,” she said.
Reed-Steynberg said when the men came out of the house, one was apprehended by residents. “The other (27) got away but was later arrested by the Pretoria West police. A case of burglary at residential premises was opened and investigations are continuing.” The man beaten up by the community was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Residents said the spike in crime in the area, especially house break-ins, had resulted in an increase in acts of vigilantism.Recently, four house break-ins were reported in one week.
In the latest, resident Sharaane Makena, who lives on the corner of Sytze Wierda and Frans Soff streets in the same suburb, had her house broken into on Tuesday.
She said: “At around 10:00, I heard a noise and I thought someone drinking water from my the tap outside and went to investigate.”
“Alas, there on the bathroom window a masked man was ready to pounce. I told him: ‘today you have landed at the wrong house. I will lock you inside and you will be killed.’ I then ran to the kitchen door shouting for help. I blocked his entrance thinking that he would use it for escape. I picked up a half brick and he tried to flee as I hit him on the head,” said Makena adding that community members got hold of the man. “I kicked and hit him on the head nonstop until the metro police came. I think the criminal took chances because he saw the windows closed and thought no one was home,” she said.
Makena said other residents reported the same man walking the streets almost daily. “He is not a resident of Philip Nel Park and most people believe that he is part of a syndicate driving around in a black Toyota,” she said adding that she was scared for her safety. “I have often been a victim of break-ins. I don’t feel safe at all … I am [always] anticipating an attack of some sort,” said Makena.
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