A life of crime and terror ends in a hail of stones and retribution.
Sibusiso Ndlovu
(The Post News)- In the sleepy town of Acornhoek, a notorious figure once struck fear into the hearts of residents. Solly Zitha, a cattle thief and murderer, had built a reputation for ruthlessness, leaving a trail of death and destruction in his wake. But today, the tables turned, and Zitha met his match in a dramatic and deadly confrontation.
The events unfolded in Ka-Sgagula, where Zitha had been awarded a subcontract for a bridge construction project, much to the dismay of locals. They saw it as a travesty, given his criminal past and lack of ties to the community. When Zitha allegedly threatened to kill those who opposed him, the locals decided to take matters into their own hands.
In a fierce and fatal confrontation, Zitha was stoned and assaulted with various objects, his body left battered and bruised. When police arrived, they found him alive but alone, his family later arriving to take him to the hospital. He succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter, marking the end of a life marked by violence and fear.
Zitha’s criminal record was extensive, with over 30 arrests for cattle theft and murder. One case stood out – the brutal hacking of 73-year-old Vhamia Mfukwa Hlabangwane with a shovel in December 2009. The victim was the mother of SABC journalist Lillian Hlabangwane, who was left to pick up the pieces of a life shattered by Zitha’s cruelty.
Despite his heinous crimes, Zitha seemed to have a network of connections within law enforcement agencies, allowing him to slip through the cracks time and again. But not everyone was afraid of him. Senior Magistrate Rodgers Ritshuri had the courage to stand up to Zitha, revoking his bail in a murder case and sending him behind bars.
Zitha’s release from prison did not mark the end of his criminal ways. He continued to steal cattle and kill, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. But today, the community said enough is enough, and Zitha paid the ultimate price for his actions.
As news of his death spread, many commented with happiness, relieved that a life of crime and terror had finally come to an end. Lillian Hlabangwane, who had suffered at Zitha’s hands, simply said, “God is the one who fights for everyone.” In Acornhoek, the shadow of fear has been lifted, and a community can begin to heal.
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