Man arrested for resisting arrest, exchanging blow...

Man arrested for resisting arrest, exchanging blows with police

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A-34-year-old man, Blessed Charakupa is acing four criminal charges for resisting a peace officer, incitement to commit public violence, criminal trespass, and contempt of court.

He was granted bail of US$150.

The State alleges that on June 28, 2024, Charakupa was served with a Provisional Order (HC 2522/24) by the Sheriff of Zimbabwe, instructing him not to demolish or construct new structures at numbers 5865 and 10041 Chaminuka Street, Mbare.

Despite the order, Charakupa continued building on the site.

The applicant of the Provisional Order, Rosemary Togarepi, filed a contempt of court case against Charakupa, alleging that he willfully disregarded a lawful court order.

The court was informed that on July 26, Charakupa, accompanied by fourteen others, went to Waterfalls City Council District land. These individuals, who have since been arrested and appeared in court, allegedly constructed a pre-cast wall on council land without authorisation.

District officer Micheal Chikanga reported a case of criminal trespass to ZRP Waterfalls.

Later that day, ZRP Waterfalls officers attended the scene, advising Charakupa to accompany them to the police station. Charakupa allegedly refused, prompting his accomplices to act violently toward the police, during which Charakupa resisted arrest.

The police fired warning shots to disperse the crowd, but Charakupa and his group reportedly charged at the officers, forcing them to flee the scene.

On the same day, the other fourteen accused individuals were arrested for criminal trespass and incitement to commit public violence, while Charakupa remained at large.

The State further alleges that on September 5, ZRP Mbare District Police Intelligence crack team received information that Charakupa was at Vito Complex in Mbare, Harare.

The police team proceeded to Vito Complex and arrested Charakupa. However, during the arrest, Charakupa's bouncers intervened, threatening the officers and demanding his release.

Despite warning shots being fired, the accused were undeterred and began assaulting the officers, striking them with fists and open hands.

Charakupa and his accomplices then overpowered the police, forcibly took the handcuff keys, removed the handcuffs from Charakupa, and fled with him and a pair of handcuffs.

The assaulted officers later reported a case of resisting a peace officer at ZRP Mbare.

Charakupa was eventually arrested on September 7, when he turned himself in at ZRP Mbare, accompanied by his lawyer Jeremia Bamu from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.