Residents mob trio over donkey carcasses

THERE was drama in Bulawayo's Makokoba suburb on Monday when residents reportedly mobbed three men who were carrying carcasses of two donkeys in a pick-up truck.

The three men, whose identities could not be readily established, were reportedly driving a Toyota pick-up truck.

They reportedly parked their vehicle in front of Zebra Butchery along 3rd Avenue Extension in the suburb.

Scores of residents reportedly swarmed the three men, accusing them of selling donkey meat.

This follows reports last week that residents of Cowdray Park suburb found a slaughtered donkey skin, head, ears and heels hidden in a hole in a bushy area, raising fears that meat vendors in the suburb were selling donkey meat to unsuspecting residents.

Monday's incident has reportedly sent shock waves among residents of Makokoba who have declared that they would not buy meat from the butchery for fear that donkey meat would be sold to them.

Sources said residents, drawn from the nearby Makokoba flats, and passersby gathered around the vehicle and demanded to know where the carcasses were being taken.

A witness, Mr Edward Sithole, from Makokoba, said the mob only dispersed when some plainclothes policemen intervened and whisked the three men away.

"Three men came driving in a Toyota pick-up truck and turned onto Zebra Butchery parking space where they parked their vehicle. They left it and proceeded to Madlodlo Beer Garden to buy some food. People noticed that the vehicle was carrying carcasses after seeing heels protruding from the sail that was used to cover them. People started trickling in to catch a glimpse of what was happening," said Mr Sithole.

"After about 40 minutes, the three men came back intending to take their car but the angry residents had gathered around seeking answers about the donkeys. Those people were not clear about where they were coming from or going with the dead animals, which irked residents more."

Mr Sithole said people were now baying for the three men's blood.

"People were concerned about recent reports that donkey meat was being sold in the city and feared that the three men could be some of the people selling the meat. You can imagine maybe the sausages we eat are made from donkey meat.

"When they parked their car here, flies started swarming the whole area and also invaded the butchery, which could have also led to a health risk," said Mr Sithole.

Another witness, Mr John Moyo, said the three men were dodgy when residents asked them about their motive.

"We could not have kept quiet after seeing people carrying donkey meat, worse still parking the car in front of the butchery. They were not willing to talk about the issue and only opened up when they saw that people were now very angry and could beat them up," he said.

The three men reportedly later told the group of people that they were heading to Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage.

Contacted for comment, the owner of Zebra Butchery, a Mr Chikerema, said he was surprised when the three men parked their car in front of his butchery.

"I was surprised and wanted to know who these people were who had the guts to park in front of my butchery carrying dead donkeys. We then phoned the police who came and took them away. We do not know what transpired after that but at least I am happy they were taken away," said Mr Chikerema.

Acting police spokesperson for Bulawayo Province Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu said they were still checking on the issue since no official report had been made.