3 Stolen Phones = 4 Lashes

Last month I was in the right place at the right time with my camera. I even thought to myself, "this will be perfect for the blog!"

One Sunday afternoon, Finn and I were hanging out in the car while Ian ran into "Choppies," the supermarket. As Ian would say, "we had rock star parking!" - a space right in front of the store. Suddenly, people started running out of the store, some of whom stood right in front of our car. Even though I had no idea what was going on, I grabbed the camera. Then all sorts of people, young and old, started running for the petrol station. As I looked above the petrol station, I saw a man standing on the roof pointing toward the street. Turns out, this mob of people was chasing a shop-lifter. It didn't take too long for them to catch the guy. As he was escorted back to the store carrying his stolen bag of frozen chicken, there was cheering on the side followed by looks of shame. I was just so excited to have my camera - if only I had thought quick enough to put it on video-mode!

As they approached our car, and I got a closer view of the guy, I started to feel sorry for him. What would happen to him? Who was he steeling the chicken for? Anyhow, Finn and I watched the security guy escort him back to the store. We waited and watched, trying to figure out his punishment. But we saw nothing else. I was hoping Ian could fill us in on what happened next. Unfortunately, when Ian came to the car, he had no idea anything haappened at all. This is the reason I never posted my blog on this matter. It was too anti-climatic!!

Well, now I can tell you what happened! We recently started hanging out with this really nice couple, Kat and Howard, from South Africa. They have two children; Maya (6 months) and Ella (3 yrs.) They were shopping at Game (Botswana version of Target). Kat put her phone down on the counter so she could get her wallet out of her purse. Just as she set her phone down, a guy behind her snatched it and took off running. Fortunately, Howard was right there and watched it happen. With Ella in his arms, he took off running after the guy. Soon after, the security guys and other spectators joined him (I imagine similar to what Finn and I witnessed at Choppies). Fortunately, they caught the guy. Not only did he have Kat's phone, but two others. Apparently the security guys really gave it to him (verbally). The next day, he had to appear in court (Howard too). Can you guess his punishment?
FOUR LASHES (on his bare bottom).