Shamva officer-in-charge denied bail

The six police officers who recently fatally assaulted a mineworker in Shamva were yesterday granted US$50 bail at the High Court. But Shamva Police Station officer-in-charge Inspector Aspias Shumba will remain in custody after his bail application was thrown out.

Motion Jakopo (41), Simon Mafunda (32), Michael Makwalo (30), Lee Makope (23), Benedict Tapfuma (22) and Blessing Saidi (26) are accused of murdering Luxmore Chivambo and injuring 11 other people. The six, who were represented by Mr Zvidzai Majokoto, were also ordered to report once every Friday at police stations in their respective areas.

It is alleged Shumba’s wife, Judith, was robbed of a purse containing US$100 and a mobile phone. She allegedly reported the theft to Shumba who mobilised his subordinates to investigate the matter. They reportedly rounded up residents of Ashley Compound and assaulted them demanding to know who had stolen Judith’s cash and cell phone.

They kicked and punched the residents at the same time hitting them with baton sticks all over their bodies, demanding to know who had stolen from Shumba’s wife.

It is the State’s case that they also raided Chivambo’s house and forcibly opened the door while Chivambo was sleeping with his wife. They allegedly dragged him outside while punching and kicking him in full view of his wife, Marjory.

Chivambo’s cousin, a member of the Zimbabwe Prison Service, tried to intervene to no avail as he was also assaulted before he fled. Chivambo and the other complainants were forced to crawl to a police car parked nearby.

They were later taken to Shamva Police Station where they were further assaulted and detained despite the critical injuries they had sustained during the assault. The following day around 1pm, the court heard, Shumba was informed that Chivambo was vomiting blood and could not eat.

He authorised his subordinates to take him to hospital for treatment. He died two hours after admission at Shamva District Hospital. On March 20, a post-mortem was conducted and revealed that Chivambo’s death was due to multiple injuries caused by the assault.

It is further alleged that on the same day, the other 11 complainants were referred to Bindura Provincial Hospital. Medical examinations established that they sustained moderate injuries except for three of them who were seriously injured.