Tensions explode as locals beat Zimbabwean theft suspect before handing him to police
SOUTH AFRICA -Community members in Vuwani, Limpopo, took matters into their own hands when they caught a Zimbabwean national suspected of terrorizing residents through bag and cellphone thefts.
The suspect, accused of repeatedly targeting victims in the area, was beaten by locals before being handed over to authorities amid rising tensions over crime.
Reports from ZimEye indicate that the suspect had allegedly been involved in multiple theft cases, instilling fear among residents.
Witnesses told the publication that tensions had been rising due to the recent spike in theft incidents, with locals determined to take action.
Crime statistics show that Limpopo recorded a 3.1% decrease in overall crime during the 2024/2025 financial year, yet theft and robbery remain major concerns in areas like Vuwani and Thohoyandou.
Police records show that 514 cases of theft involving undocumented foreign nationals were reported in the province, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to tackle cross-border criminal activities.
Non-residential robbery fell by 4.7% in the second quarter and 7.6% in the third quarter, though community concerns about safety persist.
Recent police reports suggest that Zimbabwean suspects have been linked to organized crime networks operating between Zimbabwe and South Africa, using cross-border routes to evade capture.
In October 2024, six armed robbers carried out Zimbabwe’s biggest cash heist, stealing over US$4 million from an Ecobank branch in Bulawayo before fleeing to South Africa.
Investigations later revealed that the same suspects had conducted five additional heists, escaping with large sums of cash.
A surge in theft incidents has fueled frustration among Vuwani residents, prompting growing community action.
Some locals have resorted to mob justice, detaining suspects before handing them over to authorities.
