Durban - A man, who was accused by residents robbing people at gunpoint, was allegedly attacked by a mob and killed on Saturday in Verulam.
Security firm, Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said it received a call for medical assistance from the Verulam SAPS at 9.57am on Sunday.
He said when members arrived at the scene, they found the body of a male, estimated to be in his early thirties on a footpath.
“He had sustained blunt-force trauma to most of his body and was declared deceased at the scene. His 27-year-old girlfriend was being safeguarded by police,” he said.
He said the injured woman suffered a fractured left arm and bruising to her body.
“It was alleged that the deceased was confronted by a mob shortly after midnight (on Friday). They accused him of robbing residents… (at gunpoint). The mob began assaulting the man throughout the night and demanded to know the whereabouts of the weapon.”
Balram said that on Saturday morning at approximately 9am, the deceased mentioned his girlfriend’s name while being beaten.
“The crowd then proceeded to her house, which is situated in the same area, and forced her to accompany them to her boyfriend’s location,” he said.
The mob began assaulting the woman.
A community leader intervened and contacted law enforcement for assistance, he said.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the Verulam SAPS was investigating charges of murder and assault.
“It is alleged that on 5 November 2022 at 08:35, the 30-year-old man was assaulted to death and the woman was assaulted at Mhlasini area in Verulam,” she said.
Police said the matter was under investigation.