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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A Harare man who tried to stop a policeman from arresting a relative on Christmas Day has appeared in court for obstructing the course of justice.

Godknows Tarwireyi of Retreat New Stands in Waterfalls appeared before magistrate Mr Batanai Madzingira facing defeating the course of justice charges.

It is alleged that Godknows could not stand and watch his relative Taurayi being arrested by a police officer Samson Makirimani.

Taurayi was allegedly involved in a dispute with a woman.

It is alleged that around 5pm on Christmas Day, officer Makirimani was on his way to work when he came across Godknows and Taurayi involved in a heated argument with the woman.

Godknows allegedly snatched the woman’s handbag and Makirimani ordered him to return.

He complied.

It is alleged that the woman started demanding her cellphones from Taurayi and again the police officer ordered him to return the cell phones.

However, Taurayi denied and warned the police officer not to interfere in the matter because the woman was a prostitute.

It is alleged that Makirimani ordered Taurayi and the woman to accompany him to Roadport Police Base before grabbing him by the belt.

On seeing that his relative was being taken away, Godknows grabbed him by the other side and started dragging him in the opposite direction.

Makirimani reportedly warned Godknows to stop dragging Taurayi but did not comply.

Other police officers were informed of the melee and came to Makirimani’s rescue.

Godknows was subsequently arrested.

Meanwhile, a drunken soldier based at KGIV Barracks on Thursday escaped a prison term and was fined $250 for punching a Chitungwiza woman after she demanded to know why he had fondled her at a bottle store, Lovemore Meya reports.

Ms Sarah Kabvembe (27) of Unit O lost her tooth after George Karimupfumbi (44), a soldier, lost his temper at Ms Kabvembe’s sister’s bottle store, also in Unit O.

The incident occurred on December 13 at around 6pm when Ms Kabvembe was seated in her sister’s bottle store where Karimupfumbi was drinking beer.

Karimupfumbi, who was drunk, fondled Kabvembe’s thigh and this angered her.

And on inquiring why he had done that, Karimupfumbi turned violent and grabbed Ms Kabvembe’s head. He started pulling off her braids.

The court heard that Karimupfumbi punched her on the mouth once and she lost her front tooth in the scuffle.

Ms Kabvembe went to report the matter to the police leading to the soldier’s arrest.

Appearing before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo, Karimupfumbi pleaded guilty to assault charges.

Mr Murendo slapped him with the fine.

In addition, Karimupfumbi was sentenced to a four-month prison term wholly suspended on condition of good behaviour.

Mr Tatenda Mukatera prosecuted.