adminMpumelelo Nyoni Chronicle Reporter
FOUR suspected carjackers were allegedly brutalised while in police custody resulting in one of them suffering a broken arm and leg.
Methuseli Ndlovu, 24, Walter Demba, 26, Emmanuel Semmons, 22 and Brighton Gwara, 17, appeared in court yesterday facing robbery and malicious damage to property charges.
The four showed magistrate Sibongile Msipa their bruised bodies and demonstrated how they were allegedly assaulted while in police custody for over two days.
Ndlovu begged the magistrate that he be allowed to go for an operation “as early as tomorrow” after suffering a broken leg and a broken arm.
“The police beat me up with a baton all over the body. As a result, I suffered a broken leg and I was due for an operation at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). My right arm is broken as well but it hasn’t been examined by a doctor. I also have bruises all over my back,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu also said he had developed a hearing problem due to slaps he received.
Demba said he could hardly walk after being assaulted with a baton on his legs. He also told Msipa that he was coughing out blood as a result of the assault. He also claimed that he was beaten with the butt of a gun on his head and had developed a headache as a result.
On the other hand, Semmons told Msipa that he could no longer sleep on his back due to the beatings, and showed the magistrate his bruised back. He also said his urine had traces of blood.
Gwara, who is the only juvenile amongst the suspects, said he could no longer eat as his teeth were loose due to several slaps investigators inflicted on his face.
Magistrate Msipa ordered that the four be taken for a medical examination, and Ndlovu to be operated on.
Prosecuting, Dennmore Kasenza told the court that the group tried to hijack a taxi driver after they had hired him.
“On June 14 this year at about 12PM Tinashe Moyo had parked his white Nissan March at Lagondola Night Club and said they wanted to go to Hillside. They boarded the car and on their way there, Ndlovu, who was seated behind the driver’s seat hacked Moyo’s neck with a rope, causing him to press the brakes,” said Kasenza.
They then allegedly stole $150 and a Nokia Asha from their victim’s pocket.
The prosecutor said a Good Samaritan came to Moyo’s rescue. One of them was apprehended by the taxi driver leading to the arrest of the group.
Their trial begins on June 26.
Online Reporter