Suspected thief fatally assaulted by mob

A suspected thief met a fatal end after being assaulted by a mob in Budiriro, Harare, in the early hours of last Thursday. The man, identified only as Honest, allegedly broke into a house and entered the bedroom of a 19-year-old woman who was sleeping at the time.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. along Gunguwo Street in Budiriro 5B.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case, which is now being treated as murder.

"Police in Harare are investigating a case of murder which occurred along Gunguwo Street, Budiriro, on January 10 at around 3 a.m. The victim was apprehended by a mob on allegations of unlawful entry into a house where he allegedly grabbed the complainant who was sleeping in her bedroom," said Commissioner Nyathi.

The mob is reported to have assaulted the man with wooden logs, leaving him severely injured. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The body was taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

Commissioner Nyathi urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and called for anyone with information that could assist with investigations to come forward.

"Mob justice is not the solution. We appeal to citizens to report criminal activities to the police rather than resorting to violence. Anyone with information that might assist with investigations should contact the nearest police station," he said.

The police continue to urge community members to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served through legal processes.