(Last Updated on November 22, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Two members of the Zimbabwe national army have appeared in court on allegations of punching and striking a police officer with the back of a knife.
Prosper Mageza, 25, and Homora Homora, 29, denied the allegations when they appeared before Mbare magistrate Gladys Moyo.
They made an appeal through their counsel, arguing that the treatment they got from the police during their detention was not human and that the investigating office on the case was friends with the complainant.
Mageza and Homora also argued that they were detained for more than 50 hours by the police which is against the constitutional 48 hours.
The ruling of their application will be today.
The State led by Fanuel Madanhire alleges that on November 17 at around 7amMbenge was on patrol with one constable Takudzwa Dambwa in civilian clothing, arresting commuter omnibus drivers who were picking passengers at undesignated areas.
Mbenge arrested the driver of a commuter omnibus which was dangerously parked at Matererini flats.
He ordered the driver to drop of all the passengers so that they could go to the police station.
It is said that the driver followed the orders and whilst Mbenge was getting into the commuter omnibus Mageza appeared and grabbed Mbenge by belt and yanked him outside, asking him why he had ordered the passengers to drop off.
It is alleged that Mbenge turned around to face his attacker and realized that he was wearing army uniform.
In the commotion the driver of the commuter omnibus managed to flee.
Mbenge then produced his police identity card to Mageza.
Further allegations are that Homora arrived and joined in the misunderstanding.
Angry words were exchanged and Homora punched Mbenge.
Mageza allegedly took a bayonet knife from its holder and struck Mbenge on the forehead using the back of the knife.
Mageza sustained a cut on the forehead.
He then lodged a complaint with the police leading to the arrest of Mageza and Homora.