In dock for fatally assaulting thief

 

Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent

A 41-year-old Chisumbanje man has been arrested after he fatally assaulted a thief he had caught stealing from his house.

Wilton Mlambo of Guyo Village under Chief Musikavanhu’s area recently appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Alfred Chinembiri, facing murder charges.

He was not asked to plead and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

He was remanded in custody to October 26.

Prosecuting, Mr Thulani Zondwayo said Mlambo committed the offence on September 24.

“On September 24 at around midnight, the now late Shumbeni Mlambo unlawfully entered into Wilton Mlambo’s house through an open window. While inside the house, Shumbeni was heard by Hardlife Mlambo (13) who was sleeping in his bedroom. He raised alarm and his father, Wilton, woke up.

“Shumbeni escaped through the window. Wilton gave chase and caught up with Shumbeni about 200 metres from his house. Wilton called his son to bring an electric cable which he used to tie Shumbeni’s hands,” said Mr Zondwayo.

A witness, Mr George Mlambo, said he heard the scuffle and rushed to scene.

He allegedly found Wilton assaulting Shumbeni all over the body and tried to refrain him, but he continued.

“The accused dragged Shumbeni to his homestead and took a sjambok which he used to assault him on the back, buttocks and left thigh.

He later stopped and left him tied on a tree before retiring to bed. Wilton later woke up around 4am and discovered that Shumbeni was dead,” said Mr Zondwayo.

Wilton reported the matter to the police who attended the scene and recovered the electrical cable and sjambok used to assault the now late Shumbeni.