The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
A RUSAPE white commercial farmer was hauled before the courts on kidnapping charges for allegedly locking up two police officers at his farmhouse who were investigating him over an assault case.
Johannes Hendrick Ousthuizen (41) of Zumbani Farm in Nyazura pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Rusape magistrate, Ms Patience Ururu-Madondo. Ousthuizen is charged with violating Section 93(1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23 which makes it criminal to unlawfully detain or kidnap a person.
He was represented by prominent Rusape lawyer, Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates, while Ms Event Dhliwayo prosecuted. The court heard that Ousthuizen instructed his security guard to lock up the gate so that the two police officers, Constables Munyaradzi Matienga and Prince Chihwai, who had gone to his Zumbani Farm to investigate him on an assault case, would not leave.
“On July 28, 2016, the two police officers went to Zumbani Farm which is the accused’s farm to investigate a case where it was alleged that he (Ousthuize) had assaulted George Matiki. “Upon arrival, the police details identified themselves to Ousthuizen as police officers based at Nyazura.
“They told him that they were investigating allegations that he had assaulted Matiki and wanted him to accompany them to the police station for further investigations. “Ousthuizen resisted to co-operate and to accompany the police details to Nyazura Police Station. “The two officers decided to leave and they reminded him that he had refused to co-operate with the police.
“As they were leaving the accused’s premises, the suspect instructed his security guard to close the gate. “He subsequently locked them inside the fence at exactly 5:40pm. “The police officers pleaded with him to release them, but he refused.”
Constable Chihwai then phoned his superior, Assistant Inspector Tariro Chiwanza and informed him of their ordeal. “Assistant Inspector Chiwanza phoned Ousthuizen and pleaded with him to release the police officers, but he bluntly refused again. “At around 7:43pm, the accused person released the officers,” said Ms Dhliwayo.
Ms Madondo adjourned the matter to July 14 for continuation of trial.
