According to local reports, the woman screamed, attracting the attention of people around. The mob gathered around the man, stripped him naked, paraded him in town and beat him so severely that he had to be taken to Nkhensani Hospital in an ambulance.
Giyani police spokesperson, Insp. Thomas Makhuvele, said the police arrived to intervene.
"The man is recovering in hospital and is not dead or in critical condition, as it is rumoured."
At the time of his hospitalisation, the man was unconscious. He later on opened a case of assault against the mob, according to Makhuvhele.
The woman who claimed to have been robbed by the man has not yet come forward to press any charge of theft. Rumours of a gang from Nkowankowa, (outside Tzaneen) operating in Giyani have been circulating around Giyani.
The group is said to travel in a white VW Citi Golf which operates as their escape car. The group loiters around ATMs and look for victims who look like they may need assistance.
However, according to Makhuvele, since no one has come forward with any information or pressed any charges, the man could walk off free.
"As no one has pressed any criminal charges against the man, he is currently not under police guard." Makhuvele said.
The community is requested not to take matters into their own hands, but advised to rather go to the Giyani Police Station to give the police any information that could lead to criminal activity being curbed.
The police are investigating the matter and looking for the people responsible for the vicious assault of the man.
Source: Capricorn Voce SA
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