Mob justice as unrest engulfs South Africa

Wielding sticks, guns and metal rods, minibus owners on Wednesday patrolled a ransacked shopping mall in Johannesburg to stop the looting of stores destroyed by mobs, adding further violence to the unrest in South Africa.
Concerned about loss of income from shoppers and staff no longer travelling to the mall, dozens of local commuter minibus operators decided to take matters into their own hands and crack down on looters, undeterred by security forces.
They trudged through the debris littering Chris Hani mall, near the southeastern Johannesburg township of Vosloorus, dragging suspected looters outside for a violent beating.
Screams and gunshots filled the air as the group clamped down on their victims with sticks, clubs and whips.
One man who tried to escape was hit over the head with a glass bottle and dragged back, blood streaming down his neck.
Police and soldiers stood out of sight, near the main entrance to a large car park, where they would later take in captives brought over with their hands tied.
“The malls are being looted, people are not working… so now we are stuck,” said taxi official Abel, who did not wish to give his full name.
Township residents had meanwhile…
Source: Times of Malta Mob justice as unrest engulfs South Africa
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