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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
THREE villagers who were part of a mob that kidnapped a man and severely assaulted him after accusing him of stealing donkeys have each been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
Peter Nduna (47) who is a member of the neighbourhood watch committee, Hardlife Muleya (28) and Doubt Moyo (24) all from Beitbridge District pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and assault when they appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira last week but were convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
The three men were initially facing charges of kidnapping and assaulting two men but the other charge was withdrawn before plea as the complainant, Mr Sinikiwe Sibanda could not be located.
They were then each sentenced to three years for kidnapping. They were also sentenced to an additional eight months for assault which they will serve concurrently.
Prosecuting, Ms Nomathemba Sayi said the trio committed the offence on 13 February.
“On 13 February around 5pm, the trio and other unknown villagers approached Mr Sibanda at his homestead and accused him of stealing their donkeys in 2011. They assaulted him with sticks and sjamboks before forcing him into their vehicle. They proceeded to Mr Vincent Ndlovu’s homestead and accused him of being Mr Sibanda’s accomplice in stealing the donkeys. They also forced him into the vehicle and drove off to the home of the village head with the two men in the vehicle.
“Along the way they assaulted Mr Ndlovu and Mr Sibanda with sjamboks all over the body. Upon reaching the village head’s home they were instructed by the village head, Mr Solomon Siziba to take the two men to the police station if they had grievances against them,” said the prosecutor.
Ms Sayi said the three men refused to listen to the village head and they further assaulted Mr Ndlovu and Mr Sibanda. They detained them throughout the night and only released them the following morning.
She said the two men sustained swellings all over the body as a result of the attack.
In their defence through their lawyer, Mr Jabulani Mzinyathi of Masawi and Partners the trio denied assaulting or kidnapping the two men.
“My clients were investigating a case of theft of donkeys and the village head summoned Mr Sibanda to his homestead for questioning. Upon being questioned by the village head, Mr Sibanda identified Mr Ndlovu as his accomplice and said he was the one who knew the whereabouts of the stolen donkeys.
“My clients were tasked to collect Mr Ndlovu from his homestead and he boarded the vehicle at his own will. They escorted him to the village head’s homestead and left them there. The following morning they proceeded to the police station. No one was assaulted or held against his will,” said Mr Mzinyathi.
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