A cohort of thieves, who were apprehended following an alleged intrusion into a store where they pilfered crates of alcohol, found themselves coerced into consuming the entire loot amidst a backdrop of flogging and intimidation. The incident unfolded in South Africa and has been widely circulated through an online video, sparking varied reactions.
The footage, shared by South African journalist Velani Ludidi on Wednesday, captures the moment when the thieves grappled with the stolen alcohol they had taken from the store. Initial reports indicate that the perpetrators unlawfully entered the establishment, making away with alcoholic beverages valued at approximately 14,000 South African Rand.
Upon their apprehension the following day, the thieves still retained possession of their ill-gotten gains. At this critical juncture, they were presented with a stark choice: either consume all the purloined alcohol on the spot or face ‘umphakathi,’ a local term signifying community justice, which can manifest in assertive and confrontational ways.
The caption accompanying the video encapsulated the situation, stating, “Thieves broke in and stole alcohol worth 14k. They were caught a day later with the alcohol. The owner said they must drink it all in one go or face umphakathi. The thieves are struggling.”
