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Mob justice kills mentally challenged man
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Police in Masvingo have arrested four men in connection with the fatal assault of 33-year-old Shakemore Chihwe Pedzisayi, a mentally challenged man who was beaten to death on September 20 over unfounded theft allegations.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrests, identifying the suspects as Nomore Murevegwa (33), Realize Murevegwa (18), Givemore Murevegwa (19) of Chikanga Village, and Fortune Zimoto (43) of Sauro Village.
Two other suspects, Ngonidzashe Zimoto (24) and Martin Zimoto (22), remain at large, with police launching a manhunt to track them down.
According to investigations, the attack began when Realize Murevegwa, who was tending his family tuckshop, confronted Pedzisayi after spotting him peering inside. Unsatisfied with his response, Realize allegedly called five others, and together they assaulted the victim with sticks, fists, and kicks until he collapsed.
A passerby who found Pedzisayi lying unconscious was told by the assailants that he was being punished for suspected theft. The victim sustained multiple injuries, including severe bruises on his back, neck, and shoulders, a deep facial scar, and swollen thighs.
He was rushed to Mwenezi District Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on September 22. His father, Misheck Pedzisayi, confirmed his death and reported the matter to police.
Inspector Dhewa condemned the killing and raised alarm over the surge in mob justice in Masvingo province. "We urge members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Suspects must be handed over to the police to face justice through proper legal channels," he said.
The four suspects are expected to appear in court soon on murder charges.
The Chivi incident adds to a worrying spate of violent deaths in the province. On September 22, the body of an unidentified man was discovered in a Triangle sugarcane plantation, while earlier this year, another person died in a mob justice attack in Bikita. Recent months have also seen a woman fatally stabbed in Zaka and a decomposing body recovered from a Masvingo city sewer in August.
These cases have heightened concern over the rise of violent crime and community vigilantism in Masvingo.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrests, identifying the suspects as Nomore Murevegwa (33), Realize Murevegwa (18), Givemore Murevegwa (19) of Chikanga Village, and Fortune Zimoto (43) of Sauro Village.
Two other suspects, Ngonidzashe Zimoto (24) and Martin Zimoto (22), remain at large, with police launching a manhunt to track them down.
According to investigations, the attack began when Realize Murevegwa, who was tending his family tuckshop, confronted Pedzisayi after spotting him peering inside. Unsatisfied with his response, Realize allegedly called five others, and together they assaulted the victim with sticks, fists, and kicks until he collapsed.
A passerby who found Pedzisayi lying unconscious was told by the assailants that he was being punished for suspected theft. The victim sustained multiple injuries, including severe bruises on his back, neck, and shoulders, a deep facial scar, and swollen thighs.
He was rushed to Mwenezi District Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on September 22. His father, Misheck Pedzisayi, confirmed his death and reported the matter to police.
Inspector Dhewa condemned the killing and raised alarm over the surge in mob justice in Masvingo province. "We urge members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. Suspects must be handed over to the police to face justice through proper legal channels," he said.
The four suspects are expected to appear in court soon on murder charges.
The Chivi incident adds to a worrying spate of violent deaths in the province. On September 22, the body of an unidentified man was discovered in a Triangle sugarcane plantation, while earlier this year, another person died in a mob justice attack in Bikita. Recent months have also seen a woman fatally stabbed in Zaka and a decomposing body recovered from a Masvingo city sewer in August.
These cases have heightened concern over the rise of violent crime and community vigilantism in Masvingo.
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