Mob justice leads to wheelbarrow thief’s death

By Auther Chimbgwa

A 25-year-od Ruwa man died following an attack by a man who was part of a mob that stormed his home and found a stolen wheelbarrow in his bedroom, police have confirmed.

According to police Harare provincial spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, Cyprian Muradzi was found in his bedroom with a wheelbarrow that had been stolen from Danny Bar in Ruwa.

The incident happened following a follow up by his assailants on Sunday at around 10 pm.

While Muradzi was accosted by a crowd, police have singled out one Godwin aka Bogus as the main suspect in the fatal attack.

“The now deceased was questioned about the wheelbarrow by the accused and other people resulting in a heated argument,” Inspector Chakanza said.

“The now deceased then took two bricks and started to throw towards the crowd which was questioning him.

“This did not go down well with the accused person who then assaulted the now deceased with open hands and he fell down. Whilst on the ground, the accused person kicked the now deceased with booted feet four times on the head.”

Following the attack, Inspector Chakanza added, Muradzi “started vomiting with froth coming out of the mouth and became unconscious”.

“The accused person took water and poured on the now deceased after noticing that he was unconscious.

“Upon discovering that the deceased was not regaining consciousness, the accused fled.”

Muradzi was found dead by his brother Fluxman Nhunhama who informed the police about the incident.

“A report was made at ZRP Ruwa. The scene was attended by ZRP Ruwa, CID Studios and CID homicide who observed the body of the deceased lying outside a six roomed house inside a precast wall facing upwards.

“There were blood stains on the deceased’s face. No arrest was made. The body of the deceased was conveyed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Mortuary for post mortem,” Chakanza said.