Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A Harare man has been sentenced to four years in prison for stabbing a police officer below the right eye with an Okapi knife while resisting arrest.
Gilbert Kudakwashe Dzongodza (50), of Mushangwe Village under Chief Seke, was convicted of attempted murder following a full trial before Harare Regional Magistrate Mrs Letwin Rwodzi.
Dzongodza attacked Constable Clifford Murambwe (36) while he was attempting to arrest him during a police operation along Seke Road in Arcadia.
Prosecutor Mr Loveti Muringwa proved that Constable Murambwe, accompanied by Constables Zvinairo and Mpofu, spotted Dzongodza holding a knife and alerted his colleagues.
When Constable Murambwe approached him, Dzongodza threatened to stab him with an Okapi knife and fled the scene.
The police officers chased him in a car offered by a well-wisher who drove them until they caught up with Dzongodza in St Martins.
Upon locating him at a bus stop, Dzongodza became aggressive, charging at the officers with the knife and hurling stones.
Despite warning shots fired by Constable Sigudu, Dzongodza continued advancing. The court heard that when Constable Sigudu’s pistol jammed, Constable Murambwe reloaded it and fired more warning shots.
However, Dzongodza ignored the warnings and began violently scuffling with Constable Murambwe. During the altercation, Dzongodza punched Constable Murambwe who fell to the ground and attempted to stab him multiple times.
Although Constable Murambwe managed to block the attempts, Dzongodza eventually stabbed him below the right eye, leaving him with a serious cut.
The officers later overpowered Dzongodza and arrested him.
