FIVE men accused of beating a policeman within an inch of his life after allegedly tying him to a tree, appeared in the Richards Bay Regional Court yesterday.
Mandla Promise Mbuyazi (48), Themba Mbuyazi (27), Bongani Siswe Shayison (27), Vusumuzi Mbuyazi (34) and Senzeni Landdozani Mbuyazi (28) are charged with attempted murder or assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm in the alternative.
It is alleged that the men assaulted the complainant savagely with sjamboks, sticks, bricks, stones and a blunt object.
The reason for the alleged mob violence appears to be that the victim was found in a compromised situation with the wife of a community member.
The policeman, whose name is withheld pending trial, is expected to deliver a Victim Impact Statement on how the whipping influenced his life in terms of severe physical and emotional trauma.
He is still working in the community where the incident took place.
The case was remanded for trial on 18 and 19 May. All the accused are on bail.
