[imagesource: Twitter / @masixole_l]

As a South African, you have to be on the ball when it comes to looking out for and reacting to the notorious opportunists of smash-and-grabs.

A spur of the moment assault on someone’s car window before grabbing whatever they can often happen very quickly

One Uber driver cruising around what appears to be Philippi in the Western Cape recently managed to stay one step ahead of a crook.

IOL reported on a video doing the rounds on social media depicting the e-hailing service driver dragging the robber as he drives along a busy street:

According to reports, the quick-thinking driver managed to close his window in time, trapping the criminal’s arm.

The person shooting the video wholly approved of this punishment:

Young opportunist tried to help himself to the Uber drivers belongings
this quick thinking driver decided to take him for a complimentary ride well the community did not shy away from giving him some blessings too 📍Philippi CPT 📹1/2 @Abramjee pic.twitter.com/kZscRzc1dM

— M A S I X O L E L 🇿🇦 🇦🇪 🇹🇭🇵🇭 🇺🇸🇰🇪🇶🇦 (@masixole_l) May 17, 2022

Then, to really settle the matter, members of the community banded together to give the criminal a taste of justice:

The man is seen being assaulted as his attempt to escape the angry mob is foiled by community members, who grab him from every angle.

A person can be heard exclaiming: “Why were you trying to rob the Uber (driver)?”

See the second video below. A warning that it’s pretty graphic:

📹2/2 pic.twitter.com/PuVefmFE9m

— M A S I X O L E L 🇿🇦 🇦🇪 🇹🇭🇵🇭 🇺🇸🇰🇪🇶🇦 (@masixole_l) May 17, 2022

I guess that’s what happens when SAPS is nowhere to be found.

[source:iol]