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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
FOUR Epworth-based police officers appeared in court yesterday on allegations of assaulting a 24-year-old woman whom they accused of assaulting their colleague.

The quartet — Stanley Chipupuri (32), Cosmas Simalavali (28), Timothy Musiniwa (46) and Madhuveko Dhau (39) — are facing two counts of assault and indecent assault charges.

They are appearing before magistrate Ms Amanda Muridzo. Their trial failed to kick-off and was adjourned to September 12. The prosecutor, Mr Bigboy Chikadaga, alleged that on August 10 this year, at around 10am, Chipupuri went to the complainant — Bertha Genje’s uncle’s house with a suspect, Emmanuel Chibanda, intending to conduct a search.

It is alleged that the police officer wanted to break down the door to gain entry, but Genje protested. The court heard that this did not go down well with Chipupuri, who started assaulting Genje before another officer joined in. It is alleged that during the fracas, members of the public tried to assault Genje, accusing her of being Chibanda’s prostitute.

She allegedly ran to Chipupuri seeking refuge, but he grabbed her by the neck. She was rescued from the melee by a man only identified as Nigel. It is alleged that on her way to her grandmother’s place, she met Chipupuri, who accused her of assaulting him. Chipupuri grabbed her by the skirt and frogmarched her to the police station.

At the station, the court claims, he informed other police officers that Genje had assaulted him. Simalavali allegedly started assaulting her before Musiniwa joined in. Dhau is accused of tripping her to the ground.After the assault, Genje was handcuffed and locked behind a screen door. But her ordeal, it is alleged, was not yet over. Dhau reportedly pulled her legs astride before she was kicked thrice on her private parts. At the same time, Musiniwa allegedly approached her from behind and fondled her breasts.

She, however, managed to bite Musiniwa’s hand. The beatings continued until she released him. Genje is alleged to have later collapsed as a result of the beatings.