Three Bulawayo men have each been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison for kidnapping a Ntabazinduna man and assaulting him throughout the night while demanding information about an alleged robbery plot.
In a statement yesterday, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said Sakhile Nahlovu (43), Twoboy Tshuma (30) and Decent Ncube (28) were convicted and sentenced by the Bulawayo Regional Court following the June 22, 2026 incident.
According to the prosecution, the trio, armed with axes and knobkerries, went to King Masuku’s homestead in Ntabazinduna at about 9pm and forcibly took him from his home.
“The three offenders armed themselves with axes and knobkerries and arrived at King Masuku’s homestead in Ntabazinduna, where the victim resided.
They forcibly seized him and bundled him into their vehicle, accusing him of knowing a person they suspected of plotting to rob their shop,” the NPAZ said.
The suspects allegedly abducted Masuku after accusing him of having knowledge of an individual they believed was planning to rob their shop.
“Throughout the night, the offenders subjected the victim to repeated physical assault while demanding the identity of the alleged conspirator.
The victim was eventually released at about 5am the following morning and taken back to his home,”NPAZ added
The matter was reported to the police shortly after the incident, resulting in the arrest of the three accused and their subsequent prosecution.
The NPAZ said the convictions demonstrated the importance of reporting violent crimes to law enforcement authorities rather than attempting to resolve suspected criminal matters through unlawful means.
“Kidnapping is a serious offence that robs victims of their freedom and endangers public safety,” the authority said.
It warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, particularly when they suspect others of involvement in criminal activities.
“We warn the public against taking the law into their own hands. Those who unlawfully deprive others of their liberty will face the full force of the law,” the NPAZ said.
The case highlights the dangers associated with vigilante actions, where individuals attempt to interrogate, punish or extract information from suspected offenders outside established legal processes.
