On Saturday, many people on social media were left in tears and anger after a disturbing video emerged online showing a young boy being attacked and later set on fire following an alleged theft accusation.
According to an eyewitness who spoke in the video, the incident began when the boy was reportedly walking while scrolling through his phone. The eyewitness claimed that two ladies who were riding on a motorcycle suddenly snatched the phone from him. Watch Video
The boy allegedly followed the two ladies while calling for help, but according to the eyewitness, nobody intervened at the time. Things reportedly took a tragic turn when the two ladies shouted that the boy was a thief.
Several men allegedly gathered around the boy. Instead of giving him an opportunity to explain what had happened, the men reportedly began attacking and stoning him.
In the disturbing footage, the boy is seen lying on the ground as the situation escalates. The men are then seen allegedly pouring a flammable liquid over him before setting him on fire.
What has particularly angered many social media users is the apparent footage showing the two ladies walking away from the scene while the boy was being attacked.
The incident has sparked an angry reaction online, with many people questioning how quickly the crowd allegedly turned against the boy without first establishing what had happened.
Some social media users have urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, saying suspected criminals should instead be handed over to the authorities.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the identities of the boy, the two ladies and the people involved in the attack, could not be independently established from the video alone.
The disturbing footage has nevertheless renewed concerns over mob justice and the dangers of making serious accusations without first hearing both sides of a dispute.