adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 25-year-old kombi driver from Magwegwe suburb was yesterday fined $200 for assaulting a traffic policeman, but was acquitted on a charge of kidnapping him. Liberty Phiri had been in custody since last November for allegedly assaulting and kidnapping police officer Paris Mugodi who had jumped onto his vehicle.
Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere found Phiri guilty of assaulting the traffic cop Mugodi and ordered him to pay a $200 fine or face imprisonment.
The kombi driver was, however, found not guilty on the more serious kidnapping charge.
“The state failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Phiri kidnapped Paris Mugodi, a traffic policeman who was on duty on the day when the alleged offence took place.
“He is therefore found not guilty of kidnapping the cop and acquitted. However, he’s guilty of assault and has to pay $200 fine for assaulting the officer or face 30 days imprisonment,” said magistrate Mberewere.
Prosecuting, Trust Muduma told the court that on October 27, at around 10.32AM, Mugodi approached Phiri who was dangerously parked along Herbert Chitepo Street near Tredgold Building.
He advised the kombi driver that he was under arrest and instructed him to drive his kombi to Bulawayo Central Traffic.
Mugodi got into Phiri’s kombi and instead of driving where he had been directed to, he drove to Basch Street Bus terminus, popularly known as Egodini, and proceeded along Khami Road to Pumula, the court heard.
Along Khami Road, Phiri stopped as there was a police roadblock ahead. He then punched Mugodi twice on his head and as the cop attempted to escape, he fell down.
Mugodi ran away when another kombi driver joined in the assault.
Muduma said Mugodi was later assisted by police officers who were manning the roadblock that was a few metres away to arrest the two drivers.
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