Burglar murdered in act

Tendai Gukutikwa
AN intruder was viciously murdered by a handful of Hobhouse residents last week after he was caught red-handed taking what did not belong to him.

Daniel Mapfumba is said to have been killed by residents after he had tried to escape from a scene where he had been caught stealing from Paul Nyakwari’s house.

Manicaland provincial spokesperson Inspector Enock Chishiri confirmed the murder and warned people against putting the law into their own hands.

“People should abstain from putting justice into their own hands and leave the authorities to act. Refrain from practising instant justice, rather take the suspect to the police and let the law deal with him,’’ he said.

It is alleged that in the early hours of 25 October, Nyakwari woke up and heard noises coming from his dining room.

He found Mapfumba in his dining room putting his property into a sack, these included pots, a DVD player, 12-volt battery and cellphones.

“When the deceased saw that he had been seen, he escaped. Nyakwari alerted his neighbours and when Mapfumba reached the road, a multitude was already waiting for him.

“They beat him up using sticks, logs, kicks, open palms and fists. Unfortunately, the group dispersed when a police officer arrived.

“By then, Mapfumba couldn’t stand on his own feet, but the officer managed to get him to the Hobhouse Police Base,’’ said Insp Chishiri.

Attempts to save his life were fruitless as he died along the way to Mutare Provincial Hospital.

Ins Chishiri said that no arrests have been made yet but investigations are in progress.

Meanwhile three Chipinge teenagers last week murdered a 41-year-old man over a misunderstanding.

Witness Mhlanga (17), Tichaona Mtisi (15) and James Mtisi (15) of Masheedze Village, Chief Mapungwana in Chipinge, allegedly beat up Solomon Mhlanga with sticks, an incident which is said to have led him to his death.

Police confirmed the murder which left Chipinge residents in a state of shock.

“The teenagers approached Mhlanga on his way from the beerhall and claimed that he shouted at them each time he met them. They beat him up using sticks, fists and kicks.”

“He managed to escape and seek refuge at a nearby homestead but his days were already numbered since his health deteriorated and died a few days after the incident,”Insp Chishiri said.

The trio has since been arrested and investigations are in progress.