Arron Nyamayaro
A COP and soldier have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of a suspected thief.
The incident occurred in Glen Lorne.
The soldier, Dennis Tafireyi Nyati (32), and Stanley Muchimba (33), from the Police Protection Unit, as well as Clever Malunga, Tinashe Gama and Tanaka Nyabote assaulted and forced Blessing Zadzi to roll down a slope after he was accused of stealing scaffolding.
The five ordered two people to take Zadzi to his parents’ house after noticing that he had lost consciousness.
His parents told the two to return him where they took him from after seeing that he was no longer breathing.
They dumped Zadzi’s body at a Johanne Masowe shrine where it was later found.
Police arrested the five, including the two members of the security forces, who meted out the “instant justice”.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the death and arrests, and warned against the use of vigilante justice, urging the public to report crimes to the police.
“The suspects meted instant justice to the now deceased, who was suspected of stealing scaffolding in Glen Lorne.
“The deceased’s body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary and is awaiting post-mortem. Investigations are continuing,” he said.