BEING at the wrong place at the wrong time nearly cost an Uber driver his life.
The man was beaten black and blue by an angry mob at Jabulani Mall, Soweto, on Friday, 11 November.
The gruesome attack was captured on video, and has since gone viral, showing the man being kicked and hit while lying helplessly on the ground.
Reports suggested that the attack was sparked by allegations that the man had stolen a child and went to Jabulani Mall.
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According to the police, it is alleged that a woman at Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital went around telling people that someone had just kidnapped her child and driven to the mall.
WARNING: Graphic content
Police spokesman Captain Sifiso Mabizela said the woman allegedly lied about the kidnapping.
He added that information at their disposal suggested that the woman had a miscarriage and opted to lie about it.
“There is currently no case of kidnapping opened at Jabulani SAPS. We appeal to public members to refrain from circulating false information about the kidnapping of children at the mall as this creates unnecessary panic and trauma to others,” he said.
He added that while the man had not opened a case and was probably receiving medical attention, the video would be used to arrest all the perpetrators.
Jabulani SAPS visible policing Colonel Karmesh Singh appealed to residents to assist with information about the woman who had misled people to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
