KEY POINTS
- A KZN mob killed a 24-year-old man after he allegedly stabbed his grandmother during a dispute over drug money.
- The suspect had a history of violence, according to security officials, with the grandmother hospitalized in critical condition.
- The incident highlights South Africa’s vigilante crisis, with communities increasingly taking justice into their own hands amid distrust of law enforcement.
A 24-year-old man from Mountview, KwaZulu-Natal, was brutally killed by a mob on Monday after allegedly stabbing his 61-year-old grandmother in the neck during a drug-fueled argument.
The incident, which has reignited debates about mob justice in South Africa, saw nearly 50 residents assault the suspect with sticks and whips before tying his hands and feet with ropes.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the attack occurred just hours after the grandmother was hospitalized with critical injuries. “The deceased allegedly had a history of violence toward his grandmother,” said RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram.
“He was demanding money to purchase drugs when the altercation turned deadly.”
Police grapple With rising mob justice
The mob attack unfolded at approximately 6:14 AM on Monday, with RUSA responders arriving too late to save the suspect. “He was fatally injured and [died] prior to the arrival of first responders,” Balram confirmed. The grandmother remains hospitalized, though her condition is undisclosed.
Sowetanlive reports that this mob case mirrors a disturbing trend in South Africa, where mob justice has surged amid perceptions of police ineffectiveness.
Just last week, Limpopo police launched a manhunt after a man accused of stealing from his grandfather was lynched by a mob. Experts warn that such incidents undermine the rule of law, with at least 12 vigilante killings reported since January 2025.
Local leaders in Mountview defended the mob’s actions, citing repeated failures by authorities to address domestic violence and drug-related crimes. “People are tired of waiting for justice,” said a community member who requested anonymity. Meanwhile, KZN police have opened an inquest docket but no arrests have been made.
