Duduzile Nyathi
BULAWAYO- Police have issued a stern warning against taking the law into one’s own hands following a fatal incident early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred around 0300 hours when three men, returning home from Marisha night club in Old Magwegwe, were violently attacked by a group of four men, including the now deceased, near a residence in Lobengula West.
The altercation began without provocation as the group assaulted the three men with unknown objects. During the attack, one of the assailants stole a Samsung A23 cell phone and earphones from one of the victims. One victim was struck multiple times in the face, leading to his collapse, while another managed to escape and alert nearby residents.
Residents, including Advice Dibula (36) and Khulekhani Mhlanga (43), both from Lobengula, came to the aid of the victims. In pursuit of the attackers, they caught up with one of the assailants opposite house number 56613/2 Old Lobengula. The residents then assaulted this man, leading to him becoming unconscious. The police were promptly notified, arriving at the scene to find the man unconscious and bleeding from the head and mouth.
An ambulance transported the man to Mpilo Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was taken to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Both Dibula and Mhlanga were arrested in connection with the incident.
Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the Press and Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo Province, emphasized the importance of handing over suspects to the police rather than resorting to mob justice. “Once you have overpowered the accused person, take him to the police station; do not assault him or her,” she stated. She further added, “Mob justice does not solve crime; it only leads to more violence and tragedy. Let the legal system handle such matters.”
She concluded, “We urge the community to work with us to ensure justice is served through lawful channels, not through acts of vengeance which only deepen the wounds in our society.”
