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Lovemore Meya Court Reporter
An Air Force of Zimbabwe official who accidentally shot a 14-year-old boy after trying to clear a loaded gun he had seized from a Chitungwiza businessman was yesterday granted bail.The boy is still admitted at Chitungwiza hospital.

Gerald Gurwe (23) stationed at Manyame Air Base was granted US$100 bail by Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini.
He was remanded to October 28 for trial.

He denied negligently and recklessly discharging a firearm in a public place.  In his defence, he refuted the claims that he shot the minor while trying to clear the gun.

He told the court that it fell to the ground and fired when he was wrestling with the people who tried to grab it from him. Prosecutor Mr Wilson Matsika alleges that on October 12 in the morning, Gurwe received information that the businessman, Mr Trust Jasi was arguing with his uncle over a stolen cellphone.

It is further alleged that Gurwe rushed to the parked Toyota Hilux and seized the loaded gun from Jasi accusing him of moving around with a dangerous weapon.

He is also alleged to have accused Mr Jasi of being a murderer who has been killing people around the satellite town.  The court heard that this was the time the boy was walking along Hadzinanhanga Road with his friends and stopped on the scene to witness the scuffle.
Mr Matsika told the court that the boys were going to play soccer.

Upon arrival at the intersection of Hadzinanhanga and Mabvazuva Roads, they joined the milling crowd.  Gurwe who was holding the loaded firearm reportedly cocked it in an attempt to clear it.

It is alleged that he failed to carry out safety measures as prescribed and pointed the gun to the crowd before firing. He shot the boy in the process leading to Mr Jasi reaching for the gun.