Police officers allegedly set dogs on a suspected armed robber during an identification process in Bulawayo, with two other suspects claiming they were arrested due to mistaken identity, reported <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200038233/police-set-dogs-on-armed-robber">Southern Eye</a>.
The suspects—Silence Kwangwa (30), Julius Mugwagwa (28), and Felius Mvula (54)—appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Matthew Mutiro, facing a robbery charge.
The trio pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody until February 20.
In his plea, Kwangwa said that he worked as a taxi driver. Said Kwangwa:
<blockquote>
The police forced me to be taken pictures carrying a gun.
They searched all my belongings and nothing was found pertaining to this case.
A medical report can be produced which will reveal how the police assaulted me.
</blockquote>
Mugwagwa said that he only became aware of the alleged robbery after his arrest. He said:
<blockquote>
I was called to meet someone at Magetsini in Emakhandeni and police surrounded the car.
The following day, we were taken to a bush in Richmond, where we found Kwangwa and dogs were set on him.
The police then told us they had dockets with them and no one was going to refuse to sign the dockets.
</blockquote>
Mvula said Kwangwa was his nephew’s taxi driver. He said:
<blockquote>
I do not know how I was involved in this robbery case.
I told the police and that was recorded in my statement.
I am yet to hear from the police who arrested me and the investigating officer (about) what I did.
</blockquote>
Prosecutors allege that on September 23, 2023, Kwangwa, Mugwagwa, and Mvula robbed Evergold Milling Company, stealing goods, money, and cellphones.
The stolen property is valued at US$10,000 and 7,000 rupees.

Pindula News

Police in Bulawayo set dogs on a suspected armed robber during an identification process. Three suspects, Silence Kwangwa, Julius Mugwagwa, and Felius Mvula, were arrested for robbery. Kwangwa claimed he was forced to pose with a gun, while Mugwagwa said he was unaware of the robbery until his arrest. Mvula said he was unsure why he was involved. The trio pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody. Prosecutors allege they robbed a company of goods and money. The stolen property is worth US$10,000 and 7,000 rupees. The suspects will remain in custody until their trial in February.

Police Set Dogs On Armed Robber During "Indications"

A family from Cross Roads, Mangwe, recently exhumed the body of a Lesotho citizen they had mistakenly buried, believing it to be a family member, two months after the burial.
The exhumation of the incorrect body and the subsequent burial of the rightful deceased, Bambanani Ndebele, occurred last Friday, with officials from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Lesotho in attendance.
In an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/mangwe-family-buries-lesotho-citizen-in-tragic-body-mix-up/">CITE</a>, the deceased’s uncle, a visibly distressed Mike Ndebele, said that his nephew died in South Africa two months ago.
Unfortunately, a mix-up resulted in the wrong body being sent to Zimbabwe for burial. Said Ndebele:
<blockquote>
My nephew died in South Africa two months ago, and due to a misplacement of bodies, the wrong body was brought to Zimbabwe, and we buried it.
Later, we discovered the mistake, and the Lesotho family is now on their way to collect their relative’s remains.
</blockquote>
It is alleged that Bambanani was stabbed in South Africa and despite body viewing processes conducted both in South Africa and Zimbabwe, the family struggled to identify the deceased. Said Ndebele:
<blockquote>
Body viewing was done both in South Africa and here in Zimbabwe, but identifying someone in a coffin is often difficult.
Some family members and even children raised concerns, saying the body didn’t look like him, but their concerns were dismissed. This incident has deeply hurt us as a family.
</blockquote>
Cultural activist Samukele Hadele said it is important to identify a body at the point of collection and during the dressing process.
Hadele said that in African tradition, viewing the body serves as a way to pay last respects and bid farewell. As such, he argued that this responsibility should not rest solely with undertakers.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A family in Zimbabwe buried the wrong body of a man from Lesotho by mistake. Two months later, they realized the mix-up and had to dig up the body and bury the right person. The uncle of the deceased man said his nephew died in South Africa and the wrong body was sent to Zimbabwe for burial. Even though there were body viewing processes, the family still struggled to identify the body. The family is now on their way to collect the correct relative's remains. It is important to correctly identify a body during the collection and dressing process, according to cultural activist Samukele Hadele.

Zimbabwean Family Buries Body Of Lesotho National, Mix-Up Discovered Two Months Later

A man identified by the police as Spencer Mapfumo has become a victim of social media abuse due to a case of mistaken identity. He shares the same name as a 42-year-old armed robber who was arrested earlier this month.
The robber, also named Spencer Mapfumo, is accused of multiple robberies, including a US$30,000 heist at a company in Workington, Harare.
Following his identification by the police as one of the suspects, public anger was misdirected toward the innocent Spencer Mapfumo, leading to widespread online harassment.
In response to the situation, police have intervened by releasing photos of both individuals to clarify the misunderstanding and prevent further harm.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi issued a statement confirming that the Spencer Mapfumo facing online attacks is not one of the eight suspects linked to a series of 12 robbery cases targeting residents, churches, and businesses in Harare. He said:
<blockquote>
Reference is made to the ZRP’s press statements released on 04/11/2024 and 15/11/24 on the arrest of Spencer Mapfumo (42) and others in connection with cases of robbery in and around Harare.
The Police has noted that the arrest of Spencer Mapfumo has led to a disturbing case of mistaken identity, with an innocent person bearing the same name facing attacks on social media.
We aim to set the record straight and clarify that Spencer Mapfumo who was arrested for robbery is not the same individual who is being unfairly targeted online.
To avoid further confusion and harm we urge social media users to verify information before sharing.
</blockquote>
<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 571px"><img alt="Image" decoding="async" height="382" loading="lazy" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GcqfhNCWUAAH91x?format=png&amp;name=small" width="571"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Robbery suspect, Spencer Mapfumo</figcaption></figure> <figure class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 478px"><img alt="Image" decoding="async" height="478" loading="lazy" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GcqftxbW4AE0U6Z?format=png&amp;name=small" width="478"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Spencer Mapfumo, who is being harassed on social media</figcaption></figure>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man named Spencer Mapfumo is getting bullied online because people think he's an armed robber with the same name. The real Spencer Mapfumo, who is 42, was actually arrested for stealing a lot of money and other crimes. The police want everyone to know that the innocent Spencer Mapfumo is not the criminal one and to stop harassing him online. They shared pictures of both Spencers to clear up the confusion and prevent more harm. So, if you see something online, make sure it's true before sharing it.

ZRP Steps In As Man With Same Name As Armed Robber Endures Online Harassment

A 44-year-old man in Mbundane Township, Bulawayo, died about two weeks after being assaulted by three men who mistook him for a thief at a funeral wake when he went outside to relieve himself at midnight.
Mpumelelo Sibanda (45), Edwin Dube (55), and Travor Mpofu (37) from Mbundane Township have since been arrested in connection with the murder.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube, identified the victim as Christopher Rabvu.
Insp Ncube told <a href="https://cite.org.zw/man-mistaken-for-thief-dies-after-assault-at-funeral-wake/">CITE</a> that on May 25, 2024, at around 7 PM, Rabvu, from Emakhandeni Suburb, attended a funeral wake at a house in Mbundane.
At around midnight, Rabvu went outside to relieve himself. He then encountered the trio, who suspected him of being a criminal and assaulted him with a whip multiple times. Said Insp Ncube:
<blockquote>
The now deceased bumped into the accused persons, who manhandled him, suspecting he was a criminal, and they assaulted him using whips several times all over the body.
</blockquote>
The following day (May 26), at around 11 AM, Rabvu’s condition deteriorated and he was taken to Tshabalala police station where a report of the assault was made.
The police called for an ambulance, and Rabvu was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted for three days and later discharged.
Insp. Ncube said Rabvu’s condition did not improve, and he was re-admitted to Mpilo Hospital on June 8, 2024, at around 8 AM.
Sadly, he passed away on June 9, 2024, at around 5 AM.
Rabvu’s cousin, Quite Masiliva, told CITE that the deceased was laid to rest last Friday.
Insp. Ncube appealed to the public not to take the law into their own hands but to bring suspects to the police for vetting.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mourner Mistaken For Thief Dies After Assault At Funeral Wake

A bereaved Gweru family was forced to exhume the presumed remains of its deceased member after burying the wrong body.
<a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2023/12/15/gweru-family-buries-wrong-body/">New Ziana</a> reported that the family was alerted to the mishap by the other grieving family which discovered the body swap during body viewing.
The mix-up involved the bodies of Takudzwa Chipadza and Courage Sibanda, both of whom lost their lives in separate incidents at Mkoba 14 and 16 business centres, respectively.
Police in Midlands Province said that Chipadza’s family collected what it believed to be Takudzwa’s body from Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary on 06 December and proceeded to bury it the next day at Mutasa cemetery in the city.
On the same day, Sibanda’s family collected what it thought was Courage’s body from the same mortuary.
The Sibandas proceeded to Somabhula for the funeral, only to discover that the body wasn’t that of their relative during body viewing. Police said:
<blockquote>
The family advised Gweru Provincial Hospital authorities about the incident and Takudzwa’s relatives were engaged.
Upon identification of the body, both families agreed that the body which had been brought back was that of Takudzwa Chipadza. Courage Sibanda had been mistakenly buried (by the wrong family).
Exhumation of Sibanda’s body was then ordered, and done a week later, and the bodies handed to their respective proper families for burial.
</blockquote>
The funerals of both were expected to take place on Friday, 15 December.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Gweru Family Buries Wrong Body, Exhumes Grave A Week Later

A 25-year-old man in Kwekwe who had visited his girlfriend was fatally assaulted by two men after being mistaken for a thief.
Police say Sylvester Ncube had visited his girlfriend in the Mbizo suburb when he was thoroughly beaten after the lover failed to open the door.
About five days after the assault, Ncube started experiencing pain in his body and was ferried to Kwekwe General Hospital where he died.
ZRP spokesperson in Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the development to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/man-mistaken-for-a-thief-beaten-to-death/">Chronicle</a>.
He said on 2 July 2023 around 9 PM, Ncube visited his girlfriend who stays in Mbizo, Kwekwe. Said Insp Mahoko:
<blockquote>
He knocked at her door but there was no response. He went to a neighbouring house and again knocked.
Incensed by this, the occupants of the house, Philip Luthuli (22) and Prince Mafukidze reportedly got out and assaulted Ncube using a sjambok and an unknown object all over the body, suspecting he was a thief.
</blockquote>
On 07 July 2023, Ncube started complaining of pain in the ribs and disclosed the assault to his friend. Added Insp. Mahoko:
<blockquote>
He was taken to Kwekwe General Hospital where he was admitted and succumbed to the injuries the following day.
</blockquote>
The two men who assaulted him were arrested and are in police custody facing a murder charge.
Inspector Mahoko urged members of the public not to assault or apply instant justice to persons they arrest as suspects.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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