An 18-year-old boy was brutally executed on Sunday after being accused of taking photos of an armed mob searching for criminal suspects in Amaoti.
A group of around 80 men, armed with pangas, golf clubs, traditional weapons, and firearms, were reportedly hunting down individuals believed to be behind a series of murders and robberies in the area. In their rampage, they allegedly torched two homes linked to suspected gang members.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received an emergency call for medical assistance after the teenager was shot by members of the mob. Reaction officers and paramedics responded, arriving at the scene at 11:59 AM.
The boy’s lifeless body was found in his yard, having suffered gunshot wounds to the head and body. He was declared dead at the scene. His older brother was also reportedly shot and attacked with a panga but managed to escape. His whereabouts remain unknown.
According to the victim’s family, the siblings had been sitting in their yard when the mob passed by. The group accused them of taking photos and proceeded to assault and execute the teenager.
Authorities are investigating the incident, which marks another disturbing act of mob justice in the region.