WARNING: Video below contains graphic content and foul language
Metrorail is investigating a shocking video which emerged this week showing an alleged cellphone skelm being moered with a hammer on a train.
In the two-minute long clip, an angry mob of people can be seen attacking the man with a hammer and kicking him in the face, demanding to know where the missing cellphone is.
While it is unclear where and when the vicious video was taken, some crime-fighters have identified the man as a well-known boef operating in Wynberg, where he allegedly pickpockets and robs commuters between the Wittebome and Wynberg train stations.
The video shows angry commuters standing on seats and grabbing the alleged skelm as one man threatens to bash his hands with a hammer.
‘SKELM’: Angry commuters beat a cellphone ‘thief’ with a hammer
“ Sit jou hande hier neer,” the man is heard shouting as he bangs a chair with the hammer.
The man, wearing an orange bib, repeatedly denies stealing a cellphone and begs for mercy, saying, “ Ek het niks gemaak nie.”
But a shorter man walks up to the thief and smacks him in the face shouting, “ Waar is die ma se p**** phone? Jy jou n***!”
The angry mob calls for the man to be stripped and thrown out of the train as men continue to hit and kick him until he bleeds at the mouth.
At the end of the clip, a commuter is seen climbing on the railings to kick the man’s head as he bangs into the train door, seemingly disorientated.
‘SKELM’: Angry commuters beat a cellphone ‘thief’ with a hammer
According to a source from a security company in Wynberg, they became aware of the video on Wednesday and recognised the suspect.
“He is a known skelm here in Wynberg where he pickpockets and robs people between the Wittebome and Wynberg trains station.
“They take the train and normally go towards Parkwood. We don’t know when this video was taken and are still trying to get more info, but it’s definitely the Southern line.”
The Daily Voice sent the video to Metrorail spokesperson, Riana Scott, who has sent it to be investigated.
WARNING: Video contains graphic content and foul language
Commuters beat a cellphone thief with a hammer. Video edit Lubabalo Poswa/African News Agency (ANA)