News / National
Landlord brutally attacked over missing property
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A Lobengula West landlord was left bruised, bloodied, and traumatised after a furious tenant and his friend launched a brutal midnight assault in a violent row over missing belongings.
The incident, which unfolded in the dead of night, has shocked the quiet neighbourhood and sparked renewed calls for tenant-landlord disputes to be handled through lawful channels.
The drama began when Busani Moyo (23), a cross-border tout, returned home to discover that some of his possessions were missing from his rented room. Suspicion immediately fell on his landlord, Moses Sibanda (40), whom Moyo accused of knowing more than he was letting on.
According to sources close to the investigation, an initial confrontation escalated quickly.
"He confronted the landlord but didn't get the answers he wanted," said one source. "Instead of reporting the matter to the police, he went out drinking - then came back later with a friend and launched the attack."
At around midnight, the two stormed the property and banged violently on Sibanda's bedroom door, waking him up. What began as a heated argument spiralled into physical violence.
"Moyo grabbed Mr Sibanda by the throat, slammed him against the wall, and began beating him," the source added. "He then whipped him with a sjambok, while his friend joined in, hurling stones that struck Sibanda on the arm."
The landlord screamed for help as the onslaught intensified, prompting neighbours to intervene and call the police.
Sibanda, who is still recovering from facial bruises and a swollen arm, recounted the horror:
"I never imagined it would come to this. Yes, we argued over the missing items, but I didn't think he would gather reinforcements and attack me like a criminal."
Police arrived shortly after the incident and arrested both Moyo and his unnamed accomplice.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest:
"We have apprehended two suspects involved in the assault of a landlord in Lobengula West. They are facing charges of assault and malicious damage to property."
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Despite attempts by journalists to reach Moyo for comment, the 23-year-old tenant refused to speak.
The violent incident has left the neighbourhood shaken, with residents urging both tenants and landlords to resolve disputes through the proper legal channels.
"Violence is never the answer," one neighbour said. "This could have ended much worse."
The incident, which unfolded in the dead of night, has shocked the quiet neighbourhood and sparked renewed calls for tenant-landlord disputes to be handled through lawful channels.
The drama began when Busani Moyo (23), a cross-border tout, returned home to discover that some of his possessions were missing from his rented room. Suspicion immediately fell on his landlord, Moses Sibanda (40), whom Moyo accused of knowing more than he was letting on.
According to sources close to the investigation, an initial confrontation escalated quickly.
"He confronted the landlord but didn't get the answers he wanted," said one source. "Instead of reporting the matter to the police, he went out drinking - then came back later with a friend and launched the attack."
At around midnight, the two stormed the property and banged violently on Sibanda's bedroom door, waking him up. What began as a heated argument spiralled into physical violence.
"Moyo grabbed Mr Sibanda by the throat, slammed him against the wall, and began beating him," the source added. "He then whipped him with a sjambok, while his friend joined in, hurling stones that struck Sibanda on the arm."
The landlord screamed for help as the onslaught intensified, prompting neighbours to intervene and call the police.
Sibanda, who is still recovering from facial bruises and a swollen arm, recounted the horror:
"I never imagined it would come to this. Yes, we argued over the missing items, but I didn't think he would gather reinforcements and attack me like a criminal."
Police arrived shortly after the incident and arrested both Moyo and his unnamed accomplice.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest:
"We have apprehended two suspects involved in the assault of a landlord in Lobengula West. They are facing charges of assault and malicious damage to property."
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Despite attempts by journalists to reach Moyo for comment, the 23-year-old tenant refused to speak.
The violent incident has left the neighbourhood shaken, with residents urging both tenants and landlords to resolve disputes through the proper legal channels.
"Violence is never the answer," one neighbour said. "This could have ended much worse."
Source - bmetro
