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Court Reporter
DYNAMOS midfielder Oscar Machapa was yesterday acquitted of charges of assaulting a policeman after a Harare magistrate found no incriminating evidence against him. Magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta said the evidence from State witnesses was inconsistent. “Criminal cases must be proven beyond reasonable doubt and this case failed in that regard.
“Evidence from the two State witnesses has some inconsistencies. The complainant says he was assaulted after the accused had already entered the pitch while the witness said he saw a scuffle at the gate as the two were pushing each other,” said Ms Sabarauta.
She said Machapa’s evidence was credible.
“Machapa could have grabbed the complainant on the day in question for balance after he had been pushed by rowdy supporters,” she said.
The State was alleging that Machapa assaulted the cop on November 8 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare when Dynamos played ZPC Kariba.
Allegations were that he grabbed the law enforcement agent by the collar following a misunderstanding.
Machapa denied the charges.
Online Reporter