Zimpapers Logo

Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
THE trial of five police officers who allegedly gouged a civilian’s right eye after assaulting him with baton sticks at the intersection of Kenneth Kaunda Avenue and Julius Nyerere Way in March this year opened yesterday.

The five are Livingstone Zvimba, Tendai Musungambira, Sunday Nyaude, Khululekani Dale and Evans Mashonganyika.

The prosecutor Ms Dora Moyo says on March 23, at around 8pm, the accused, who were clad in anti-riot gear, were controlling traffic at the intersection of Kenneth Kaunda and Julius Nyerere Way when one of them approached a couple Yvonne Magora (26) and Washington Gezana (32) who were standing nearby.

He began assaulting Magora with a baton stick, which prompted her husband, Gezana, to intervene. He asked the police why they were assaulting his wife, but they turned on him instead.

Gezana was struck with an unknown object on his right eye and he lost consciousness. On realising that they had seriously injured Gezana, the five fled to a police Defender pick-up and drove off.

Gezana was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where his eye was subsequently removed due to the severity of the injuries. His wife Magora was also medically examined.

The medical affidavits are held as exhibits. The States’ first witness, officer-in-charge at Cranborne Police Station Inspector Margii White, who was also at the scene, said he was not part of the accused persons as he was superintending over seven police officers from his own station.

He told the court that on arrival they found the five accused already there. “We parked our police defender on an island along Julius Nyerere Way. The accused had already placed spikes along that road to control traffic coming from Chitungwiza,” said Insp White.

“It did not take time for traffic to clear and I signalled that we should leave. The five came to our defender. However, they were not invited because we did not come with them. We left together in our defender.” The second witness, Assistant Inspector Takemore Kwangwa, said the five had to board the car while moving.

“They came to our vehicle and they were in anti-riot gear, helmets and wielding batons,” said Asst Insp Kwangwa. “The Defender made a turn into Robert Mugabe and the five jumped in. They came on their own.

“At first they were at the intersection of Robson Manyika Street and Julius Nyerere Way before moving to Julius Nyerere Way and Kenneth Kaunda Avenue. “I didn’t see what they were doing and I did not witness any assault.”

The trial continues tomorrow.

The five, who pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault charges, are appearing before Harare magistrate Mr Farai Gwitima.