The ManicaPost
Post Reporters—
A FEMALE police officer was this week recuperating at Mutare Provincial Hospital after she was badly assaulted by a gang of touts at Dangamvura Rank last Saturday, while police are investigating a hit-and-run case in which a cop was hit by a motorist in Dangamvura on the same day.
Constable Consider Mavhiki fractured her arm as a result of the assault.
One of the touts, Shepherd Panganayi (24), has since been arrested and denied the charges when he appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira on Monday.
Panganayi’s accomplice, Ishmael Tiri is still at large as he allegedly ran away after committing the offence.
Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.
It is alleged that Cst Mavhiki who was in the company of her colleagues, among them Cst Badze were on duty at Dangamvura Rank last Saturday when they attempted to arrest Shadreck Mutema for touting.
“In an attempt to arrest Mutema for touting, Cst Mavhiki was obstructed by Panganayi and his colleague, Tiri, who pushed her to the ground,” said Mr Karombe.
They manhandled her, thereby causing a fracture on the bone of her hand.
Panganayi was subsequently arrested and Tiri fled from the scene.
Panganayi is facing Obstructing a Public Official charges as defined in Section 179 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
In his defence, Panganayi said he was not part of the crew of touts that manhandled the police officer.
Panganayi was remanded out of custody to January 28 on $30.
In an unrelated case, police are investigating a hit-and-run case in which a cop was hit by a motorist in Dangamvura last Saturday night.
The unidentified motorist allegedly sped off after committing the crime.
Cst Davison Chimbare (37) of House Number 554, Railways sustained serious injuries and died the following day after being admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital.
Manicaland police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, could not comment on the case at the time of going to Press, saying he was yet to be briefed of the accident.
However, sources who could not be named for professional reasons revealed that Cst Chimbare who was attached to the force’s Transtech division was hit by a car soon after watching the Zimbabwe AFCON match against Algeria at a pub at Boka Shopping Centre.
“Investigations carried out so far revealed that Cst Chimbare who was drinking with other patrons at a bar in the location opted to retire home after the match. As he entered the nearby Two Rooms section of the suburb he was hit by a car. Residents living nearby said that they heard screeching brakes. After a few seconds they heard the same car speeding off from the scene. Moments later they went to investigate and found the cop lying down groaning in agony. A Good Samaritan came by and ferried him to Mutare Provincial Hospital where he was subsequently admitted,” said the source.
He died the following morning from the injuries sustained.
“He had bruises on the face and a deep cut on the head which showed that he hit his head hard on a rocky surface following the impact,” said the source.
Police are yet to ascertain the identity of the vehicle involved in the accident.
