By Staff Reporter
HA-MULIMA – A foreign national, suspected of being involved in child smuggling, was severely beaten by an angry mob after being apprehended while allegedly attempting to abduct a child in Ha-Mulima, located just outside Thohoyandou, on Tuesday, March 18.
The incident unfolded when locals spotted the suspect trying to flee with a six-year-old child.
The suspect, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was reportedly attempting to transport the child to another country for unknown purposes, raising suspicions of a child trafficking operation.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the man was caught in the act of trying to kidnap the child, and before he could escape, a large crowd of locals quickly surrounded him.
The situation quickly escalated, with the mob taking matters into their own hands and violently assaulting the foreign national.
The beating continued until local law enforcement arrived at the scene and managed to subdue the crowd. The police then took control of the situation, rescuing the suspect and ensuring the safety of the child.
The child, who appeared unharmed, was returned to their family, and the authorities have assured the public that investigations into the attempted abduction will continue. “We are closely monitoring the situation, and a full investigation will be carried out to understand the motives behind this incident and prevent any similar occurrences in the future,” said a police
The incident has raised serious concerns about the rising cases of child trafficking and abductions in the region.
While the suspect remains in police custody, the community’s swift response has sparked a debate about vigilantism and the potential consequences of taking the law into one’s own hands.
