A Harare man, identified only as Bla Odza, tragically lost his life on Sunday following a brutal attack by a mob. The incident, which occurred along Highway Road in Belvedere, Harare, has sparked a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) via their official social media channels, Bla Odza and his partner in crime, 20-year-old Onias Marenga, were accused of stealing clothes. The alleged stolen items were reportedly loaded onto a pushcart. The accusation triggered a violent response from a group of people who launched a savage attack on the pair.
The police report detailed the extent of the violence Odza suffered: “The victim and his accomplice, Onias Marenga, 20, were allegedly assaulted by a mob after they had been accused of theft of various clothes which were loaded in a pushcart. Bla Odza sustained multiple bruises all over the body and became unconscious.”
Despite efforts to save him, Odza succumbed to his injuries. “He was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital for treatment where he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the police statement concluded.
The incident highlights the dangers of mob justice and the tragic consequences of resorting to violence to address perceived wrongdoing. While the police confirmed they are investigating the death of Bla Odza, the full details surrounding the alleged theft and the subsequent attack remain under investigation. The ZRP statement did not elaborate on the condition of Mr Marenga, Odza’s companion, following the attack.
