Crimes and Courts Correspondent
A dramatic scene unfolded in Kadoma, Zimbabwe, when a 22-year-old man, Dingani, climbed a 30-meter tower light to escape an angry mob after attempting to steal solar panels.
“I will jump, I will jump!” Dingani threatened, staying atop the tower for three hours before being talked down by Tafadzwa Maxwell ‘Agaga’ Mwanyisa, who said,
“I dedicated myself to save this guy… I showed him enough money to buy his favourite drink. After that, I asked him to drop the knife and an electric shocker he had, and he complied.”
The incident began when Dingani attempted to steal solar panels from a nearby house, but was intercepted and chased by a mob. Abigail, a female neighbour, described the scene:
“We were woken up very early in the morning to hear that Dingani had gone up this tower light. We haven’t slept since then. This is a surprise to us.”
Another neighbour, Shylet, added:
“For all night Dingani was outdoors making suspicious moves. Our mother was even afraid to go for early morning errands fearing he could pounce on her.”
The owner of the house whose roof was damaged accepted the incident, saying,
“What can I do? I will repair the roof and life goes on.”
Dingani was eventually taken to Rimuka police station under heavy guard.
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