Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
A MAN accused of attempting to rape his cousin was hung from a roof truss and brutally assaulted to death by angry villagers who took the law into their own hands.
Dumisani Nunu from Village 1 Circle C, Inyathi, reportedly barged into his cousin-’s home last Saturday night after a heavy drinking spree at the local business centre.
According to neighbours, Nunu forcibly broke into her bedroom, groped her, tore her underwear and pleaded with her for sex.
“She screamed for help and that’s when neighbours rushed to the scene,” said a witness, Collet Makhwelo.
“They dragged him to Mzimkhulu Mthombeni’s house where they tied him to the bedroom roof truss and took turns beating him with a knobkerrie and sjambok.”
The beatings reportedly went on for hours until Nunu died around 4AM. His lifeless body was discovered hanging the following morning by another neighbour, who found the spare bedroom door wide open.
The community members who carried out the savage assault — Mzimkhulu, Obert and Masotsha Mthombeni — fled the scene but were later arrested after police launched an urgent manhunt.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that Dumisani Nunu was flogged to death by three accused persons after they allegedly caught him trying to rape a 42-year-old woman,” said Inspector Banda.
“The three effected a citizen’s arrest and took him to one of their homes where they assaulted him fatally.
“They should have handed him over to the police. Anger does not justify murder. We urge communities to report crimes instead of turning into law enforcers.”
The gruesome killing has reignited debate over mob justice and the consequences of vigilante violence in rural communities.
Police investigations are ongoing.
