Maize thief fatally assaulted

A 35-year-old man from Nyanga was at the weekend fatally assaulted after he was caught stealing maize cobs and butternuts in a garden in Mutoko.

Acting Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the incident and said the police had since arrested Katsande Homweyetsuro (35) of Village 15 plot 26 Nyamuzizi in Mutoko in connection with the murder of Shingirrai Zisengwe.

"We received a report following the death of Shigirai Zisengwe of Village 57 plot 23 Mayo in Nyanga who was fatally assaulted by Homweyetsuro with a log after he was caught stealing maize cobs and butternuts in his garden," Asst Insp Muzondo.

"We arrested Homweyetsuro who is in custody assisting us with investigations."

According to the police, at around 11pm, Homweyetsuro was patrolling in his garden checking for warthogs when he reportedly saw Zisengwe stealing maize cobs and butternuts in his garden.

This prompted him to chase after Zisengwe. Zisengwe then fell to the ground and Homweyetsuro allegedly picked a log and started bashing him several times on the head with it.

After assaulting Zisengwe it is reported that Homweyetsuro went to his homestead and alerted his father Collins (51) who teamed up with other villagers and carried Zisegwe to Nyamuzizi Clinic using a scotch-cart.

However Zisengwe died on the way to Nyamuzizi Clinic.

The case was reported at Mutoko police station who attended the scene and immediately arrested Homweyetsuro. The deceased was taken to Mutoko hospital mortuary for post mortem.