Thief caught napping in boot gets a proper beating

A thief who had just stripped a music system and other parts from a parked car earned the wrath of angry community members when he decided to take a nap in the vehicle’s boot. He was beaten severely before police arrived to save him.

The man, reportedly a notorious criminal from neighbouring Ngulummbi village, was stripped naked and attacked with an assortment of weapons, after which a burning tyre was placed around his body. The incident shocked many and occurred at Ngovhela on Saturday, 24 January, at around 04:00.

According to information available to Limpopo Mirror, the man broke into a parked car at a rural home and was found in possession of housebreaking tools and other items believed to have been stolen elsewhere that evening before he fell asleep in the car he had burgled.

House owner Norman Nemudzivhadi said he woke at around 04:00 for his morning prayers. “I went outside and opened one of my cars where I do my prayers. After the prayer session I decided to go back to the house. Just as I was about to go back to the house, I noticed that my other car's door was not closed. On a closer look, I noticed there was a person sleeping in the boot of the car,” he said.

By then, the thief had already stripped some music components from the car. “I tried calling for help on my phone and that is when he heard me and woke up. I tried to keep him in the car, but he overpowered me and got out. We had a fierce struggle until three men arrived and helped me. We managed to subdue him, and we tied his hands and legs,” Nemudzivhadi said.

He added that he was exhausted and passed out at the time, unaware of what followed. The thief apparently also did not press any charges.

Rumours spread that Nemudzivhadi had used strong muti to stop the thief, but he dispelled the claims, saying he believes in the power of prayer. “We are a family that believes in prayer. Neighbours know we do prayers every evening and when the children are away, we do that through the phone. On top of that I have my early morning prayer sessions. I believe it is the power of prayer that caught him," he said.

Nemudzivhadi said he did not press charges against the culprit as he had recovered all his belongings. As far as could be determined, the thief also did not press any charges.

Community leader Wamashudu Muhali said crime was a growing problem in the area. “We have a serious problem here. Criminals come from their villages to commit crime here. Just like this man, he is not a local and it is not the first time he has done this. Residents are tired and no wonder they are going to extremes of taking the law into their own hands,” he said.

Date:30 January 2026

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019. He currently writes on a freelance basis, covering human rights issues, court news and entertainment.

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