Litchi thief tortured by owner in Durban – KZN

KwaZulu Natal (Durban): Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) was called out to a home in Durban – Kwazulu Natal on December 29, 2023, to attend to a case of Theft.

When Reaction Officers reached the residential premises at approximately 9:30 in the night, they found a male handcuffed to a tree with severe bodily and facial injuries. Two (2) incense sticks were found alight next to his feet.

Reaction Officers were informed that the man had gained entry onto the property & stole litchis from several trees. He was confronted by the homeowner and his family, who restrained him to a tree and whipped him with sjamboks and sticks. Officers found the man to have suffered extensive injuries. The handcuffs were removed.

The homeowner did not desire a criminal case of Theft, and the suspect was not detained. When interviewed, the injured man opted to leave without opening a case of Assault with the Intention to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). He further declined medical treatment. News Invasion blurred the pictures to protect identity.

However, people oppose this action of the owner and say they become serious about silly crimes, and when something big happens, they act normal.

“Is it okay for people to hit someone and behave like this for liches? That’s just sick. Why don’t the same people act when more serious crimes are committed? Some people are inhumane. Yes, what he did was wrong, but the tree will bear again. What if the man lost his life due to injuries? He won’t be able to come alive again….. Our country has bigger issues to worry about. People should consider that,” said one of their neighbours.

Moreover, people are asking for justice for the man as he is poor and will not going to take any legal action against the owners.

“This is inhumane..what is wrong with our society??? I don’t condone what he has done, but who gives you the right to do this??? You have no God in you…This is so sad,” said another user.