Men beat vendor to death for "overpricing" razor b...

Men beat vendor to death for "overpricing" razor blades, cigarettes

Zim Now Writer

Two Bulawayo men fatally beat a vendor with a hammer and sticks, arguingt hey were punishing him for his high prices, resulting in his death after he was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.

The incident happened in Cowdray Park suburb around 8pm on June 21.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the unknown assailants are still at large.

She said the suspects approached Dumisani Mpala, 46, at his stall at Sign Post.

“One of the accused persons enquired about the prices of razor blades and cigarettes. After he was told the price, the two unknown accused persons started shouting at Dumisani Mpala, accusing him of overcharging his products and saying they wanted to teach him a lesson,” she said.

Asst Insp Msebele said one of the suspects grabbed a hammer that was on the ground near the vending stall and pounded Mpala on the head.

“The other accused person also picked a stick and assaulted Dumisani Mpala several times all over the body until he collapsed. The two accused persons then fled from the scene. The now-deceased sustained a cut on the forehead and some bruises all over the body. A police report was then made. The now-deceased was ferried to Mpilo Central Hospital by ambulance on the 27th of June 2023. The now-deceased passed on at Mpilo Central Hospital,” said Asst Insp Msebele.

She urged members of the public to solve differences amicably instead of resorting to violence as it results in unnecessary loss of lives.

“We appeal to members of the public with information that may assist in the location of the two accused persons to report at any nearest police station,” said Asst Insp Msebele.