HERALD

Seven Lions Den men have been arrested for allegedly fatally assaulting a mentally ill man they suspected to be a thief when he came begging for food.

Jealous Marufu (35) of Nyamatiwa Farm in Lions Den believed to occasionally suffer from mental problems reportedly went missing on March 23 at around 1030 am.

Later that day he went to Godonia Farm. He approached Edshiton Zvinowanda at around 8pm begging for food and water. However, Zvinowanda allegedly accused him of being a thief after he failed to produce some form of identification.

Acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the incident.

"He suspected that Marufu was a thief and apprehended him claiming that there had been numerous theft cases in the area," he said.

Zvinowanda allegedly led Marufu to Machingauta Bar where he allegedly teamed up with six other people after telling them that Marufu was a thief and started kicking and punching him all over the body.

The other six suspects are Leonard Makota (23), Louisdale Kaitano (21), Member Madzivadondo (57), brothers Tapfuma (30) and Tigere (32) Mandaza and Chamunorwa Machingauta.

They are expected to appear in court soon facing murder charges.

They took him to Chisuyana Machingauta, a village head, to report that they had apprehended a thief but he could no longer walk or talk and the village head declined to attend to the matter.

The seven men then tried in vain to resuscitate him by pouring water all over his body. After realising that he had died, they allegedly dragged him and dumped his body along a road leading to Chifundi Primary School. The body was found three days later by a passer-by who made a report to the police and the village head. Investigations linked the seven to the murder and they were arrested.