Prison guards charged in fatal beating at Governme...

Prison guards charged in fatal beating at Government Complex

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Four Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officers, tasked with guarding the New Government Complex in Harare, now face murder charges after a suspected intruder died following a brutal assault. Nqobile Dube, Gladman Faith Makoni, Godfrey Damu, and Munashe Arkins Zvavambire appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova, where they were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for Monday.

The tragic incident unfolded on March 6th, between 6 and 7 pm, at the New Government Complex, located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Simon Muzenda Street. According to the prosecution, Kandemiiri Jeffreys visited the complex intending to meet his uncle, Kandemiiri Malvern, an employee there. Upon arrival, Jeffreys was confronted and chased away by the ZPCS officers providing security.

As Jeffreys descended the stairs, he encountered the four guards on the second floor, triggering an altercation that quickly escalated into a violent assault. The court heard that Dube allegedly inflicted repeated kicks to Jeffreys' stomach, while Makoni, Damu, and Zvavambire punched him across his body.

The alleged assault continued in the building's basement, where the brutality intensified. Dube reportedly kicked Jeffreys in the stomach and stomped on him as he lay on the ground. Damu allegedly used a broom to beat Jeffreys' legs, causing him to roll in agony.

Witnesses, fellow ZPCS officers, eventually intervened and restrained the quartet. Jeffreys was then ordered to leave the premises. He made his way to the Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus, where he collapsed and lost consciousness.

Well-wishers transported Jeffreys to his home in Mabvuku, where he complained of severe internal injuries. His mother subsequently took him to a local clinic, from where he was immediately referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital. Jeffreys was admitted for seven days but succumbed to his injuries on March 14th.

A forensic post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be blunt trauma, leading to a severe abdominal infection directly linked to the injuries sustained during the assault. This evidence has formed the basis of the murder charges against the four ZPCS officers.