The Galeshewe police are investigating a case of murder after a man died following a ’mob justice’ incident in Madiba Square, Galeshewe.
THE GALESHEWE police are investigating a case of murder after a man died following a ‘mob justice’ incident in Madiba Square, Galeshewe.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was assaulted by a mob on Tuesday after he was accused of theft.
The man succumbed to his injuries while waiting for an ambulance.
The state ambulance service was accused of arriving more than five hours late.
The man reportedly lay in the cold for hours, covered in blood, and pleading for help.
A source highlighted what a struggle it was to get an ambulance to be dispatched to the scene.
He said they managed to get through to the Galeshewe police, who dispatched a team to the scene.
According to the source, he found the victim surrounded by people at around 8pm on Tuesday evening. They said that the police and the ambulance were being called.
He said the police arrived at the scene just before 9pm and also started calling for an ambulance.
He added that the provincial emergency medical services (EMS) arrived on the scene at around 11pm and paramedics declared the man dead.
“I arrived at the scene at around 8pm and found some of the people gathered around him trying to call the ambulance and the police,” said the witness.
“Covered in blood, the victim was crying out in pain and kept on speaking in Sesotho.
“Upon the arrival of the police, they also struggled to get an ambulance to be dispatched.
“The police were on the scene until the ambulance arrived at around 11pm.
“Upon arrival, the EMS staff declared the man dead.”
The Northern Cape Department of Health stated that it is investigating the allegations after an assault victim died in Madiba Square while waiting for an ambulance on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Department spokesperson Lebogang Majaha said that the department conveys its condolences to the bereaved family.
“The department is investigating the allegations and cannot further comment until the investigation is finalised,” said Majaha.
Sergeant Sam said no arrest has been made yet.