A Durban woman who shackled her seven-year-old daughter to a rafter in their informal dwelling had to be rescued from an angry mob of community members who were attacking her with sticks.
Members of the police and security companies had to intervene to restore calm to the area on Sunday afternoon.
Prem Balram, spokesman for Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), said they had been called to the area, known as Sandpit, by residents who needed assistance after a mob began assaulting the mother.
“According to the caller, some residents who were walking past the home, peering in and made the discovery. They noticed that the female child was shackled to the rafter with a metal chain. The chain was fastened with a lock and the opposite end of the chain was secured to a rafter along the roof,” said Mr Balram.
He said officers were dispatched and arrived at the scene with members of the Verulam SAPS.
“It was established that the woman restrained her child before leaving home for work on Sunday morning. Upon her return, the mob began assaulting her with sticks. The female fled into her home and locked the door in an attempt to flee the furious crowd. The crowd was eventually calmed down and mother and child removed from the home and transported to the Verulam police station,” said Mr Balram.
Verulam SAPS said they would be referring the matter to the Department of Social Welfare for guidance.
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