Angry mob assaults suspect in child’s stabbing

Paramedics had to hastily leave the scene of an apparent mob justice attack with the injured victim in Pietermaritzburg after they were threatened by the mob.

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Pietermaritzburg – Paramedics had to hastily leave the scene of an apparent mob justice attack with the injured victim in Pietermaritzburg late on Saturday night after they were threatened by the mob, ER24 said.

“A man, believed to be 23-years-old, is in a critical condition after he was severely assaulted in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg,” spokesman Werner Vermaak said on Sunday.

ER24 paramedics were called to the Imbali area at about 11.30pm to attend to a man who was apparently assaulted by members of the community. When paramedics arrived on the scene, community members were “somewhat hostile and indicated that the man apparently stabbed a young child earlier in the evening”. Paramedics were informed that the child had already been rushed to a nearby hospital prior to their arrival.

“They [paramedics] initiated treatment and were threatened by the community for treating him. They immediately loaded him into the ambulance and left the scene to continue care on route to hospital. Upon full assessment it was found that he sustained multiple stab wounds over his body as well as a fractured skull and face. Paramedics had to place him on life support on route to hospital.”

The police were notified of the incident. It was unclear whether police attended the scene as paramedics had left before their arrival, Vermaak said.

African News Agency