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Gibson Mhaka
VIGILANTISM or mob justice, although regarded as a traditional way for communities to deal with criminals or high levels of crime in the country, is never the answer.
It is only the state, which has the right to render justice. Eight villagers from Magiya Village in Madlambuzi area under Chief Masendu, Matabeleland South Province, have learnt this following their arrest in connection with the murder case of a fellow villager whom they allegedly assaulted with switches all over his body as punishment for stealing a goat.
These eight include Qiniso Ncube (38), Nkosingiphile Ndlovu (27), Mayibongwe Nyathi (27), Sicelo Nyathi (24), Mulu Nyathi (20), Elton Ncube (28), Honest Sola (36) and Justin Nkomo (60).
Regrettably, two of the suspects Sola and Nkomo merely slapped the now-deceased, who was already losing consciousness once, each on the cheek.
Despite this, they found themselves implicated in the murder and became part of the murder suspects.
This highlights the severe consequences of vigilantism, where even minor involvement in a violent incident can lead to devastating charges. It’s a stark reminder that justice should always be left to the authorities, as any form of mob justice carries significant risks for all those involved.
Circumstances are that on August 19, Qiniso was at the food for work project in the village when Nkosingiphile left, saying he was going to search for his missing goat.
When Qiniso returned from the food for work project, Nkosingiphile told him that he had seen where their missing goat was slaughtered.
Qiniso, Nkosingiphile, Mayibongwe, Sicelo and Mulu teamed up and searched for the suspect’s footprints.
These footprints led them to the homestead of Annah Moyo (85), the mother of the now-deceased, Soza Dube (54).
They found the now deceased there and started assaulting him with sticks all over the body several times while his mother watched.
They went on to force him to march to his homestead, where they recovered the stolen goat’s meat.
It is reported that while Qiniso, Nkosingiphile, Mayibongwe, Sicelo, and Mulu were at the now deceased’s homestead recovering the stolen goat meat, Elton arrived and joined them.
However, he was merely watching the accused persons assault the now deceased.
After recovering the meat, they took the now deceased to the village head. Upon arrival, they found that he was not around.
They then found Sola and Nkomo.
The two slapped the now deceased with open hands once each and later released him to his home.
The following day at around 8am Qiniso and Nkosingiphile went to the now deceased’s home to give him food.
They continued doing this for three days, providing food and some medication.
On August 24, at around 8am, his mother went to check on the now deceased, only to find that he had passed on inside his bedroom hut.
The matter was reported to the, leading to arrest of the suspects and their subsequent appearance before Plumtree magistrate, Joshua Nembaware charged with murder.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to September 9.
The magistrate advised them to apply to the High Court for bail. Selestine Madziwa appeared for the State.
Online Reporter