Six men kidnap, whip boy to death

SIX men from Chiredzi allegedly kidnapped a 15-year-old boy, detained him overnight and assaulted him while his hands were tied until he died after accusing him of having stolen a solar panel and some clothes from one of them.

Tobias Mashava (33), Simbarashe Haudivamwe (20), Killmore Zungura (27), Benard Thomas (32), Moses Joel (35) and James Chinenge (35) allegedly killed Aaron Chikudo accusing him of stealing a solar panel and two bags full of clothes.

Three of the men allegedly first approached one Asele Zhou and accused him of having stolen the property, but he allegedly told them that Chikudo had stolen it.

The trio proceeded to Chikudo’s home and allegedly took him to one of the suspects’ home where they were joined by three other accomplices. They then took turns to assault him with switches all over the body while his hands were tied.

Chikudo died the following day while in the custody of the six suspects.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Wednesday last week at around 10AM.

She said the six suspects were arrested and are assisting police with investigations.

Insp Mazula said on Tuesday last week at around 7AM, Chinenge, Joel and Haudivamwe discovered that a solar panel and two bags full of clothes were missing.

The trio suspected that Zhou had stolen them and decided to confront him.

Zhou allegedly told them that Chikudo was the one who had stolen the property.

“At around 2PM, the three men went to Zhou’s homestead in the same area where upon arrival they accused him of stealing their property but he denied and implicated Aaron who lived in the neighbouring village. The trio proceeded to Chinyoka Village where they found Aaron home. They accused the juvenile of having stolen their property but he denied.

“Unsatisfied, they took him to one of the men’s homestead where they allegedly assaulted him with switches all over the body until 7PM. They were joined by Thomas, Zungura and Mashava of the same area who also assaulted the boy,” said Insp Mazula.

She said the six men allegedly went on to tie his hands with fibre and continued to assault him.

On Wednesday at around 10AM, Insp Mazula said, the boy was still in their custody and they continued to interrogate him. They allegedly continued to assault him until he passed out.

They allegedly poured some water on him but Chikudo breathed his last on the spot. — @walterbmswazie2