In a shocking turn of events, a man from the Southlea Park area of Harare has found himself facing murder charges after allegedly participating in a fatal assault of a suspected thief. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising concerns about the use of vigilante justice and the need for a more measured approach to addressing criminal behaviour.
Earnest Marumisa, a 32-year-old resident of Southlea Park, appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Appolonia Marutya on Wednesday, accused of being one of the perpetrators in the fatal assault. According to the prosecution, led by Mr Thomas Chanakira, the incident unfolded on the night of December 29th, 2023.
Marumisa, along with two other men, Elias Zalila and Gabriel Manyowa, allegedly caught the victim in their yard and accused him of being a thief. The trio then proceeded to savagely assault the man, striking him all over his body. The court heard that the suspects even stripped the victim of his clothes before dumping his body in the nearby Hopley neighbourhood, where it was discovered the following morning.
A post-mortem examination conducted on January 3rd, 2024, revealed that the victim’s death was a result of medulla shock and severe spinal cord trauma, directly linked to the brutal assault. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide unit in Harare conducted a thorough investigation, eventually leading to Marumisa’s arrest.
During the court proceedings, Marumisa was advised to seek bail at the High Court and was remanded in custody until June 4th.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the grave consequences that can arise from taking the law into one’s own hands. Marumisa’s case has sparked renewed calls for communities to work closely with law enforcement to address crime, while also emphasizing the importance of due process and respect for human life.
