5 men up for assaulting cops

Zim Now Writer

Michael Mashiri

Five men who assaulted police officer after refusing to take a bribe when they visited their bar checking for a compliance licence appeared in court.

Farai Madindiri, 35 and Douglas Madindiri, 33, of Acturus, Taurai Madindiri, Machipisa, Highfield, Nkulumani Tochiwe, 55, of Hungwe Street, Zengeza 4, Chitungwiza and Movern Maganzo, 37, of Kambuzuma appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with kidnapping amd assualt.

They were ordered to appear in court on August 31.

The State, alleges that on July 21, 2023, the complainants in this matter are police officers stationed at Harare Licence Inspectorate namely Sergeant Nyanzou, Constable Maugara and Makoni who were checking beer outlets for compliance on licences.

They arrived at the beer outlet operated by the accused persons and arrested it for not having a liquor licence and health registration certificate.

The barman offered US$10 to the police officers as bribe but they rejected it.

Patrons then started moving out as they had realised that the police was conducting its work and Farai allegedly started assaulting one of the police officers with open hands and clenched fists and the other four accused persons joined and indiscriminately assaulted the complainant with open hands all over his body.

Constable Maugara called for reinforcement but they were refused entrance by the accused persons who had locked the complainants inside the gate and denied him free movement inside their premises and even denied entry to police officers who had come to rescue their colleagues.

The reinforcement team pleaded with the accused persons till they had to use minimum force to open the gate to rescue the police officer who was assaulted and his team.

The police later managed to arrest the accused persons and seized the alcohol.

The complainants sustained some cuts on their faces and heads.