A Bulawayo man who was transporting his employer’s children was nearly killed by an angry mob on Thursday after they mistook him for a child trafficker

According to online publication, Zimlive, the four children were playing in the back of the van, and some people erroneously took their noise to be a cry for help. An angry mob of people at Fife Street and 5th Avenue quickly accosted the van and forced open the doors.

When the mob saw the four children in the back of the van, they accused the driver of kidnapping the kids and started assaulting him. After badly beating him, the mob to the hapless man to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

The parents of the children later came to the police station where they cleared up the matter. The assaulted man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed the incident, telling Zimlive,

They shouldn’t have beaten him but should have just brought him to a police station and allowed the law to take its course

zimlive