What began as a trip to buy a cow for a church function ended in terror when two men from Musina were ambushed, assaulted and robbed of phones and cash at gunpoint, before their vehicle was set alight.
The incident occurred on Friday, 1 May at about 20:30 in a bushy area between Tshipise and Domboni. The victims, who were travelling in a bakkie, had reportedly gone to the area in search of a cow when they were lured to a remote location under the pretence of a sale.
According to Vhembe police spokesperson Captain Vuledzani Dathi, police in Masisi have opened cases of armed robbery and malicious damage to property.
“It is alleged that the duo went to the area to buy a cow. Upon arrival, they were approached by four men, one of whom was known to them and armed with a firearm. The victims were assaulted and robbed of cash and their cellphones,” said Dathi.
Fearing for their lives, the men fled and hid in nearby bushes. When they later returned, they found that their bakkie had been set alight.
The brazen attack has sparked tension within the closely knit farming and business community, with some residents questioning the circumstances of the incident and alleging possible involvement in cattle theft — claims strongly rejected by the victims’ family.
Businessman and community leader Philemon Munyai, known as “Mr Mayor” of the Madimbo Business Forum Against Crime, described the incident as disturbing.
“We are fighting all sorts of crime in this area, but livestock theft is becoming like a plague. Farmers are fast losing their tempers to the extent of taking the law into their own hands, which we are fully against,” he said.
Munyai added that such transactions should be handled more carefully. He urged buyers and sellers to involve all stakeholders, including traditional leaders who can issue a certificate of sale, and to ensure the cow is photographed. He also warned against conducting deals in secluded bush areas.
Meanwhile, the owner of the bakkie, Charles Jombe, expressed sadness and disappointment over the incident, saying everything happened due to a case of mistaken identity.
“My son, who is a member of the local church, requested the bakkie to go and buy a cow for a church function and had money, but ended up in this mess. I think the case could have been handled another way rather than taking the law into their own hands,” said Jombe.
Jombe said the loss of his bakkie is a serious setback.
“I am a pensioner, and the bakkie was my only source of income," he said.
Police investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the investigating officer, Constable James Makuya, on 072 089 0460. The motive for the attack remains unclear.