The Bulawayo Police have successfully apprehended three suspects – Taboga Sithole (25), Percy Mutare (26), and Average Makopa (34) – in connection with a v!cious @ttack and k!dnapping of a street vendor.
Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the @rrests, noting that the suspects, all residents of Magwegwe North suburb, are @ccused of committing a hein0us crime involving severe b+rns with cooking oil, physical ass@ult, and ultimately kidn@pping their victi!m.
He said: “Sithole, Mutare and Makopa were @rrested after one of the residents spotted them at their home where they stay together and alerted police leading to their @rrest.”
Inspector Abednico Ncube praised the vigilant citizens of Bulawayo who came forward with vital information that proved instrumental in tracking down the trio of suspects. Their swift action in providing assistance to the police is commendable.
A source close to the incid3nt said while Tracy Phuthi (30) was busy at her stall on Thursday evening, Mutare, Sithole and Makopa descended on her stall.
It is said Makopa bought fish but Mutare demanded fish for free.
“While she was selling her stuff and fish at her stall, Makopa bought fish and ate it. Makopa and Sithole returned to the bar. Mutare remained and took the fish and refused to pay. After that he told Phuthi that if she wanted her money she should follow him inside the bar but she refused,” said the source.
Mutare d@shed inside the bar and called Sithole and Makopa who swiftly came out.
“Mutare grabbed a frying pan with hot cooking oil and tried to h!t her with it but she blocked it and the cooking oil spilled on her left hand and severely b+rnt her. Mutare was also b+rnt. After that, they took turns punching and k!cking her. They also st@bbed her,” said the source.
The suspects allegedly threatened to k!ll her and dragged her to a dark spot where they further severely @ttacked her.
“The incident unfolded in full view of residents and when they dragged her to a dark spot no one came to her rescue, leaving her being mercilessly @ttacked by suspects who threatened to k!ll her but she told them that she has a minor child and she would give them a Honda Fit car, in exchange of her freedom ” said a resident who requested not to be named in fear of being victimised.
While they were on the way to her home some youths in the suburb got suspicious seeing the woman s0bbing and followed them.
“One of the suspects took out a big kn!fe from his jacket’s pocket threatening to st@b them, after that they walked for a short distance and dumped the child in front of a primary school gate, and fled. The residents took the baby to the woman’s home and the woman in question was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where she was admitted for medical attention,” said the source.
A source at Mpilo Central Hospital said drama ensued at the health institution when Mutare, who was in the queue to receive treatment fled when he saw his v!ctim.
“Hospital staff and patients were left surprised when they saw Mutare who was b+rnt on the hands and neck running away and no one attempted to chase after him,” said a source at the hospital.
SOURCE : B-METRO
