Angry crowd targets burglary suspect

● Mob attack in Motherwell is ninth since end of July as trust between police and community erodes

A 20-year-old suspected burglar was rescued by police after an angry mob attacked him in Motherwell on Monday.

This marks the ninth mobjustice attack in the Bay since the end of July and the only one of the incidents in which the victim has survived.

The attack at about 10.30am led to police firing two warning shots in a bid to wrestle the man away from the crowd.

The man has since been arrested for a burglary that took place at the weekend.

Two policemen managed to escape with cuts and bruises after residents turned their anger on them.

The man, who is in a serious condition in hospital, is not being named for his safety.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said police officers responded to calls for help from a witness in Ndlulamthi Street.

“A nearby vehicle responded and was surrounded by about 150 people,“Beetge said.

“Police attempted to calm the crowd but the group continued to assault the suspect by hitting him with sticks and knobkerries, while some were throwing stones.

“The officers fired two warning shots and managed to get to the suspect and pull him into the police van.

“By that stage, backup had arrived and the police managed to take the suspect to the police station, where he was transported to hospital.”

The incident stemmed from a burglary in Qwarha Street, Motherwell, at about 2.30am on Sunday, Beetge said.

“Items were allegedly stolen from a house that was undergoing renovation.

“The owner woke up and spotted two suspects fleeing, and recognised one of the suspects. It turns out he knows the mother of the suspect.

“On hearing [later that day] that the son was being sought by the community, the suspect’s mother went to the house and returned the stolen items in a bid to stop the community looking for him.

“By this stage, the police were searching for him and a case had been opened.

“A second suspect is also involved and it appears he has since gone into hiding.”

Beetge said the man was under police guard in hospital.

‘Police attempted to calm the crowd but they continued to assault the suspect’ Captain Andre Beetge

POLICE SPOKESPERSON

During an interview with residents last week, the recent spike in mob attacks was blamed on a breakdown of trust between police and the community.

Police, however, say they are attempting to mend the gap by explaining the justice system process to residents.

The main issues raised by residents included suspects being arrested and then released by the courts, arrogant suspects returning to crime scenes and a lack of communication from the police when it came to current cases.

The man will appear in the Motherwell Magistrate's Court once he has been discharged from hospital.