adminLOSING valuables to thieves or robbers is not everyone’s wish. The loss is strongly felt when the stolen items have a sentimental value.
Most of these suspects leave their victims traumatised.
In worst of scenarios, some victims have been left butchered while others have been raped.
However, some daring thieves or robbers, run out of luck with some being apprehended at the crime scene.
Most of these suspects, who are caught in the act, are now regretting ever committing such offences.
Meting out instant mob justice has become a common practice in Zimbabwe.
Suspects are subjected to harsh treatment, thorough and severe beatings or being made to roll in the mud.
In most cases of shoplifting, a number of suspects are sometimes given a thrashing as complainants wait for the police to arrive.
Others are also humiliated as they are force-marched to the police station.
In neighbouring South Africa, some victims are merciless to the extent of setting some suspects on fire.
Locally, police have been urging people to desist from this act of meting out mob justice since it constitutes a criminal offence.
There has been reports of suspects being killed when the mob turned against them and beat them mercilessly.
Some people are now in jail as a result of punishing suspects.
As the media, we have been warning people against the practice.
On March 24, we ran a spine-chilling story of a 40-year-old Chitungwiza man, who was beaten to death by an angry mob in Zengeza 1, at a crime scene.
The man was trying to break into a parked car when he met his fate.
He was caught breaking the windscreen of a Toyota Hiace in Zengeza 1 by two men who teamed up with residents and attacked him leading to his death.
The suspects have since been arrested and are now being charged with murder.
They are now facing a serious offence in which they could end up in jail for a long time.
The two men must be regretting ever assaulting the suspected thief.
This should come as a lesson to those of us who believe in taking the law into their hands.
The police have on many occasions been urging people to desist from meting out mob justice.
However, it seems that this message is not being taken seriously.
Hopefully, the Zengeza case has taught people one or two lessons about the dangers of punishing suspects. Such cases should be handled by the police only.
The only task the mob can play is to escort these suspects to the police station.
In cases where they feel incapacitated, they should keep these suspects and call the police to come and effect some arrests.
People who apprehend suspects at the crime scene should also learn to comply with police orders by not punishing them.
Online Reporter