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Danisa Masuku
THREE MEN who allegedly resisted arrest took turns to assault and stab a police officer on the arms, shoulder and buttocks.
Nkosilathi Ngwenya (21), Mduduzi Sibanda (22) and Melusi Ngwenya (23) appeared for trial before Bulawayo regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga each facing attempted murder charge and escaping from lawful custody.
They pleaded not guilty to both charges. They were remanded in custody until 15 April for continuation of trial. In his defence, Melusi said when he arrived at the scene there were a lot of people and within a few minutes his brother phoned him asking him to accompany him to a mine in Inyathi. He told the court that he then left to join his brother after that, he left for his home.
Melusi said while he was sleeping police officers came in the middle of the night and took him to a police station where they allegedly assaulted him and forced him to admit that he assaulted and stabbed Constable Simbarashe Mhembere who is stationed at Cowdray Park Police Station.
Mduduzi said while he was at his home sleeping with his wife, cops swooped on him and beat him up, forcing him to admit that he took part in assaulting and stabbing Mhembere. He said he failed to sit due to severe assault all over his body and sought medical attention.
Nkosilathi said he passed by the crime scene on his way to the shops and later on the same day cops pounced on him at his home and severely beat him up, forcing him to admit that he was involved in the assault and stabbing of the cop in question. The trio also denied ever escaping from lawful custody.
It is alleged that on 15 February at around 12pm Constable Mhembere and Constable Mandoreva attended a murder scene at Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo.It is said they tried to arrest Melusi, Nkosilathi and Mduduzi but they refused and turned violent. They allegedly stabbed Mhembere with a knife on the arms, forehead, shoulder, on the ribs and on the buttocks. He fell down and bled profusely. It is said they head-butted him and took his handcuffs. The trio drove off in their car and they were later arrested.
Online Reporter