Cop bashing pair granted bail

By Yeukai Karengezeka

Two Chitungwiza men yesterday appeared in court for allegedly assaulting police officers who were on patrol and stealing one of the officers’ phone worth $500 after a misunderstanding. Jethro Ngazimbi (42) and Tobias Gadzira (29) appeared before Chitungwiza resident magistrate Mrs Yeukai Chigodora facing assault and theft charges.

They pleaded not guilty and were freed on $100 bail each. The trial continues on Thursday.

The prosecutor Mr Norman Koropi alleged that on June 29 at around 2130hrs, Assistant Inspector Elijah Bepe and Constables Taurai Nyatondo and Richard Vuramayi left Dema Police Station for patrols.

On June 30, they arrived at Murisa Business Centre at around 0100hrs and Constables Nyatondo and Vuramayi disembarked from the car and started patrolling the area, while Asst Insp Bepe remained in the car that was parked near Countryside Night Club.

While patrolling, the two were approached by a taxi driver who reported that Gadzira had refused to pay his taxi fare.Constable Vuramayi tried to resolve the matter, and Gadzira called his counterpart Ngazimbi who then rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, Ngazimbi allegedly shouted at the police officers.

“You (police) are the ones who threw a bomb in Bulawayo intending to kill ED,” he said. “Now you are failing to do your work. Today we want to teach you how to do your work.”

Ngazimbi then snatched Constable Vuramayi’s cap and put it in his pocket and slapped him on his cheeks, head-butted him thrice on his chin and threw several fists until he fell.

Const Vuramayi started bleeding from the nose and the two accused persons stripped him and took away his police uniform and phone.  The Herald