Drama as suspect climbs 30-meter tower

Lovemore Chazingwa

A Kadoma man, who had been chased by a mob following an attempted theft, climbed a 30-meter tower light while threatening to commit suicide yesterday morning.

The young man identified as Dingani (22), left people shocked after climbing the tower at around 4 am. The incident occurred near Nherera Bar in Rimuka suburb.

He stayed up the tower light for about three hours and even threatened to jump before he was eventually taken down. Sources say he attempted to steal solar panels at a nearby house along Masvaure Street but was intercepted and chased by a mob.

After a chase, he decided to climb up the tower light in an effort escape from people’s danger. He mounted himself on even worse circumstances. A female neighbour said they were woken up by noise from people who had started gathering at the scene.

“We were woken up very early in the morning to hear that Dingani had gone up this tower light. We haven’t slept since then. This is a surprise to us. We don’t know why he climbed there but I heard he was caught and escaped after trying to steal those solar panels,” said Abigail.

One of the neighbours said they were taken aback by this odd incident.

“For all night Dingani was outdoors making suspicious moves. Our mother was even afraid to go for early morning errands fearing he could pounce on her. We then heard he was caught trying to steal our neighbour’s solar panels,” Shylet said.

The owner of the house whose roof was damaged accepted his fate.

“This is one of those odd things. What can I do? I will repair the roof and life goes on. What can I ask for from a mere lady who survives on selling vegetables? It’s my loss,” he said preferring anonymity.

Dingani’s saviour was composed when he scaled the tower.

“I dedicated myself to save this guy. My wife tried to restrain me but I remained determined. When I climbed to the top of the tower, I had to devise a way to speak to Dingani since he was in a precarious position. I showed him enough money to buy his favourite drink. After that, I asked him to drop the knife and an electric shocker he had and he complied. That’s when I manoeuvred to save him,” said Tafadzwa Maxwell ‘Agaga’ Mwanyisa.

Dingani was then taken to Rimuka police station under ‘heavy guard’. (H-Metro)