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Lovemore Meya Court Reporter
A police officer who stabbed a Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services officer at night club was on Friday sentenced to four years in jail for attempted murder. Stanley Nyoni (31) of Chitungwiza was jointly charged with his friend, Prudence Mupandawana (35) of ZRP New Camp in the same suburb.

The pair denied attempted murder charges before Chitungwiza regional magistrate Ms Estere Chivasa.
Nyoni was convicted while Mupandawana was acquitted after a fully-contested trial.

Ms Chivasa said the State, led by Mr Lovet Muringwa, failed to prove a case against Mupandawana, while Nyoni was sentenced to an effective four years behind bars.

In passing sentence, Ms Chivasa took into account that Nyoni was facing a serious offence and that as a police officer he knew well the consequences of his actions.

Ms Chivasa said Nyoni’s defence was marred with inconsistencies and it was inconceivable to claim that Oliver Bayadondo (35) was injured after falling on a pool table during an altercation.

In acquitting Mupandawana, Ms Chivasa said evidenced adduced in court showed that he restrained Nyoni and was not acting in common purpose with him.

On December 23 last year at a club in Chitungwiza, Bayadondo was drinking alcohol with other patrons when the two cops arrived.
The court heard that there was an altercation and Bayadondo tried to restrain the feuding parties from fighting.

Nyoni assaulted Bayadondo, who retaliated by punching him in the eye.
Nyoni drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed Bayadondo once in the chest.