‘Killer’ cop released on bail

A POLICE detective who allegedly shot dead his colleague, the late Detective Constable Cassandra Hove while pursuing alleged armed robbery suspects in Pumula South suburb last month, has been granted $100 bail by the High Court.

Nomore Muradzikwa who is being represented by Mr Tinashe Tashaya of Sengweni Legal Practitioners, was granted bail by Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Nokuthula Moyo, who remanded him to April 15.

Mr Tashaya told the court that Muradzikwa accidentally shot his colleague during a tussle or fight with the armed robber.

He said the bullet hit the robber on the arm and it ricocheted and hit the now deceased on the left breast.

“The applicant will state that he and his other colleagues did not notice that the bullet had hit the now-deceased since she was not bleeding. They only got to know that a bullet had hit her when they arrived at the clinic and nurses were trying to rescue her.”

Mr Tashaya argued that since two guns were fired at that time towards the robber, Muradzikwa and his team did not know, which bullet hit Hove.

“The police had to wait for the removal of the bullet during post-mortem a and ballistic report for a conclusion on, which gun released the bullet, which shot the now deceased. This explains the delay in the arrest of the accused,” said Mr Tashaya.

He said Muradzikwa was aware of the investigations and the outcome of the ballistic report before his arrest.

“If he wanted to abscond, he could have done so, but he waited for his arrest and is prepared to stand trial,” said Mr Tashaya.

He further argued that on the aspect of interference with witnesses, Muradzikwa is aware that they are all police officers hence it is not easy to interfere with them as they are people vested with the law.

As part of the bail conditions, Muradzikwa was ordered to reside at his given address until the matter is finalised.

Justice Moyo also instructed Muradzikwa not to interfere with witnesses or investigations and to report to the police once a week.

The State, which was represented by Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza opposed bail, arguing that there was no guarantee that Muradzikwa would not abscond given the gravity of the alleged crime.

“In our law, the courts can refuse an applicant bail if there is a likelihood that he or she might interfere with witnesses or investigations.

“The court is therefore enjoined to consider whether the accused is familiar with witnesses or the evidence and to what extent the witnesses may be influenced. The court is further enjoined to assess the ease with which the accused can access evidence or witnesses,” argued Mr Jaravaza.

He said the likelihood of interference with investigations was high as Muradzikwa is a police officer attached to the same office where the deceased used to work.

“It need not be microscopic to make an averment that in such a situation the applicant is likely to interfere with the witnesses due to the nature of his job. This is also so when it is considered that investigations in this matter are not yet complete as confirmed by the investigating officer, which therefore makes the risk of interference high,” said Mr Jaravaza.

The shooting occurred on March 6 and Muradzikwa was arrested on March 17.