AN ARMED robbery suspect was killed and his alleged accomplice is fighting for his life after they were severely assaulted during a mob justice incident outside George at the weekend.
The two were allegedly seen by Pacaltsdorp residents robbing and stabbing a shop owner in Reuben Crescent, Rosedale, on Saturday at about noon.
Southern Cape police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said yesterday that the two men, – both 20, allegedly overpowered the shop owner, threatened him with a knife and pistol, before stabbing him.
“Residents saw the incident unfold, rushed to the aid of the shop owner and confronted the two men,” Pojie said.
An altercation between residents and the two ensued.
“Several residents then started attacking the suspects, beating them with pickaxes and machetes,” Potjie said.
“One of the suspects died on the scene while the second was rushed to the George Hospital’s Intensive care unit.”
The man admitted to hospital was transferred to the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town for further treatment on Sunday night.
“He is still not conscious and suffered severe head injuries. He is in a critical condition,” Potjie said.
Police are investigating business robbery as well as murder and attempted murder.
Pojie warned that the community should not take justice into their own hands.
“We understand that minimum force is often needed to apprehend a suspect, but then contact the police and let them take over,” he said.
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