Fleeing suspect caught and beaten by umphakhathi in Verulam CBD

A suspected thief was apprehended and addressed properly by umphakhathi after allegedly stealing cash from a bus conductor in the Verulam Central Business District on Wednesday afternoon.

According to reports, the suspect boarded a bus and grabbed a stack of money that was being counted by the conductor. He attempted to flee through a busy section of the CBD, but pedestrians managed to catch him at the corner of Ireland and George Sewpersad Streets.

Eyewitnesses say the crowd then proceeded to condem his actions before authorities arrived.

A member of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who was on patrol in the area, stopped to investigate after noticing the commotion.

The bus conductor confirmed that the stolen cash, pictured in an accompanying image, was recovered from the suspect. Despite the incident, no criminal charges were laid, and the suspect was released.

Authorities have not commented on whether further investigations will follow.