By Tatiana Mhararira
A man from Midzi Village in Chief Mapanzure area died after being whipped for being suspected to have stolen a pot of sadza and chicken.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the death of Maxwell Manjonjo (42) on January 11, 2025 and urged members of the public to report all the suspected criminals.
“I confirm the death of Manjonjo of the above village and I urge citizens not to take law into their hands and punish suspected criminals but rather report to the Police,” said Inspector Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on January 11, 2025 around 0500hrs Makneme Chikutuva (41) and Takunda Gwitiva woke up and found that someone had unlawfully entered their kitchen the previous night.
They found that a three legged pot with sadza and chicken was stolen but there was a pair of male shoes in the hut.
While they were still wondering, Manjonjo arrived looking for his shoes and they assumed that he was the one who had stolen the sadza and chicken.
When Chikutuva and Gwitiva asked him about the sadza, Manjonjo became violent. The two accused became angry by Manjonjo’s actions and they took yoke ox straps and whipped the deceased, pushed him several times until he was bruised.
They later left him when he was weak and had difficulties in breathing. The two accused carried Manjonjo to Musingarabwi Business Centre where they dumped him.
After dumping him they called the police to report that they had arrested a thief and they directed the police to where they were.
At around 1130hrs Panganayi Manjonjo (37) who is brother to the deceased saw his brother lying unconscious and reported to the police.
The ZRP took Manjonjo who was vomiting and unable to walk to Mapanzure clinic where he was referred to Morgenster Hospital and he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Manjonjo’s body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for postmortem.
Chikutuva was arrested and Gwitiva is still on the run.
