By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –
A MAN in Zambezi District of the North-Western Province has been severely beaten by a mob after he was linked to a crocodile behind the killing of a number of women in the area.
The man was beaten following the death of seven women who had been killed by a crocodile in the Zambezi River in Kakong’a area within a short space of time.
Most of the women were reported to have been caught and killed while bathing in the Zambezi River, which is a normal practice in the area.
Zambezi District Commissioner Lawrence Kayumba confirmed the beating of the man who he was not in a position to give his actual identity.
Mr Kayumba said the man was beaten over the weekend by a mob that suspected him of being behind the crocodile that had been terrorising residents living near the banks of the Zambezi River in Kakong’a area.
He said the mob ran amok and severely beat up the victim after a seventh woman was caught and killed by a crocodile within the same area recently.
“There is a big crocodile that is often being spotted within the same area where seven women have been killed by the reptile and residents linked it to a man who they claimed was using black magic to kill the victims,” he said.
He said acting on their superstitions, the residents last weekend descended on the man who they beat up severely leaving him for dead.
Mr Kayumba, however, dismissed such accusations saying the mob acted on mere suspicions.