adminMarry Zvapera (32), of Entumbane Camp, Virginia Matinde (25), of Ross Camp and Passmore Feremba (31), of Western Commonage Camp, had all pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault, but were convicted by Bulawayo magistrate Miss Marilyn Mtshina.
A fourth officer, Wishes Kutyauripo (26), of Entumbane was found not guilty and acquitted after he produced evidence that showed that he was never present when the assault took place.
Mr Admire Chikwayi, prosecuting, told the court that on 14 January this year, the trio approached the complainants and informed them that they were investigating a case of theft that had occurred at their workplace.
They took the two complainants to the Criminal Investigations Department’s Suspects Section at CABS Building, for questioning.
While at the CID offices, Mr Chikwayi proved that they took turns to assault the complainants with a plank under the feet and on the ankles.
They also used a sjambok and an empty soft drink bottle to assault the complainants.
After the assault, the two complainants were taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where they were detained.
They were released on 16 January and they made a report of the assault and were sent to hospital for treatment.
One of the complainants sustained a fracture while the other had bruises all over the body.
derick.khumalo