Stolen mealies 'cost man a leg'

CUT OFF his leg so he never moves around harvesting where he did not sow….

Such was the agreement of a Pumula East mob which meted instant justice on a maize thief caught in action.

William Manjengwa of Pumula East reportedly ran out of luck when he was caught stealing maize at a certain field around 7pm on a weekday.

Little did he know that the owner of the field had laid an ambush. As Manjengwa started harvesting, the owner rushed to alert others and they pounced on him unexpectedly.

Manjengwa was left for dead after they used a machete to strike him on his left leg leaving him unable to walk.

He is still admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital.

A reliable source from the area said, "William was a habitual maize thief in Pumula.

"He does not have a field, but was always seen selling maize at a $1 for 10 at the Intemba bus stop. His clients were women who sell roasted maize," said the source.

On the unfortunate day, he was reportedly caught at a certain field on the far end of Pumula East close to Pumula South assuming no one was monitoring his activities.

"He had harvested a sizeable sack of maize, as he tried to make his way back to Pumula East the field owner and a group of people attacked him with a machete almost chopping off his leg and fled the scene," said one of his friends who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to one of his friends, William was found by a passerby writhing in pain and was rushed to Pumula Police Station where he lied that he was attacked by thieves.

"He was saved by a Good Samaritan who took him to the police station after he lied saying he had been beaten by thieves.

"I was shocked when he told the police that he was robbed. Ask anyone in Pumula who knows William they will tell you what really happened to him," he said.

Another friend of Manjengwa who also requested anonymity revealed that they had advised him to stop his stealing habit, but he never listened.

"We tried on several occasions to warn him about his habits. Now his actions are catching up with him because I understand his leg might even be amputated," said his friend.

When B-Metro visited him at Mpilo hospital ward A1 he was in a no nonsense mood shouting at the reporters.

"Who told you that?  Go back to whoever told you. I don't want to hear about that. Can't you see that I am in pain, what does it matter if I did it or not, get the hell out of here," shouted William causing a mini-drama in the ward.