GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - One young man out on parole, as well as his accomplice, were arrested by community members and police on 21 July, following their alleged attempted burglary of a Graaff-Reinet business.
The arrest is causing uproar after a cellphone video of it was circulated on social media.
Yudré Mybee (24) and Ronaldo de Vos (22) were arrested in the industrial area of the town shortly after 07:00, for attempting to steal items from a business. Mybee was out on parole for theft.
Graaff-Reinet SAPS Spokesperson, Capt Bradley Rawlinson, confirmed they where arrested for attempted theft after a search by police, business owners and other community members.
The business owners said they are constantly on the lookout for "crooks" who patrol the town's streets 24 hours a day. Their names and the names of their businesses are withheld from publication, as they may be called as witnesses in the case in question.
A video of the arrest was sent to Mybee's mother, Yvette Mybee. She questioned alleged violence during the arrest. In the video, a witness to the arrest can be heard saying "don't step on his head," referring to the law enforcers' actions towards the suspect. Later, a woman also tells those arresting to stop hitting one of the suspects.
Other eyewitnesses told the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser that the suspects resisted the arrest, even with handcuffs on, and that force was needed to bring them under control.
According to Yvette, she has tried to file charges of assault on behalf of her son and De Vos several times, without luck. She was reminded each time that the suspects were old enough to file these charges themselves.
By the time of going to press, the suspects had not filed any complaints against the police or community. They appeared in court on 22 July. The case was postponed, and the suspects will remain in custody until their appearance in the local magistrate's court on 3 August.
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