Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
A DEBT dispute over maize allegedly turned into a frightening roadside drama after two friends staged their own version of street justice, complete with a fake cop act, a chain and a threatening stick.
Morris Mpala (50) and Mandla Nyathi (34) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mark Dzira facing charges of unlawfully detaining a man and demanding money. They were remanded out of custody until tomorrow for continuation of trial.
Prosecutor Jethro Mada told the court that on 19 October, the pair descended on the Matsheumhlophe home of Syankanda Munsaka (38), and ordered him to get into a white Toyota lorry as if they were running an official operation.
Believing he was dealing with law enforcement, Munsaka complied. One of the accused allegedly claimed to be a police officer, and the complainant even climbed into the load box of the truck, convinced he was being taken to a police station.
Instead, the lorry headed to an unknown destination in Hillside, where the tone allegedly changed from official to outright terrifying.
Munsaka was ordered out of the vehicle and a chain was allegedly tied around his waist and secured to the back of the truck. The reason was not a crime but money. Mpala allegedly wanted to force him to pay a debt he claimed was owed.
Munsaka testified that last year Mpala had approached him with a deal to sell maize. The maize was never purchased, but Munsaka said he undertook to pay something back. Later, when Munsaka found another supplier, Mpala allegedly demanded US$600, claiming he was owed commission.
The complainant told the court he paid US$100, but this did not satisfy Mpala.
The court heard that Mpala later took Munsaka from his workplace to his home, produced a document and claimed it was standard police paperwork that needed signing. Nyathi was then allegedly sent to fetch a chain, turning the so called police process into a shocking scene.
Munsaka was chained for about five minutes while Mpala allegedly threatened him with a stick. Nyathi reportedly stepped in to stop any physical assault before the complainant was eventually untied and released.
Shaken and furious, Munsaka reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the two men.
