Habitual thief torched by community in Parkgate

A 32 year old man accused of stealing a grass cutting machine was doused with petrol and set alight by at least 10 to 15 people in Parkgate – Verulam a short while ago.

Members of Reaction Unit South Africa were called out to a property off Tottenham Road at approximately 11:12 today (Thursday) after the critically injured man collapsed on the driveway. The caller confirmed that the individual had suffered extensive burns to more than 90% of his body.

Upon arrival the man confirmed that he had a stolen a grass cutting machine from contractors who were working on the roadside in Parkgate. They with assistance from the community pursued and apprehended the thief at the Ottawa intersection.

They then led him to a bush in the area where they assaulted him with hammers and stabbed him before he was doused with petrol & set alight. The men then drove off in a white Toyota Hilux bakkie and left him for dead in the bush. The injured man managed to walk to a nearby home and collapsed on the driveway. The Parkgate resident also confirmed that he was arrested previously after he stole a laptop in Central Durban.

He is currently being transported by ambulance to a Provincial Hospital in a critical condition.