Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro
Three police officers accused of killing a suspected poacher were acquitted after the Chinhoyi High Court ruled that their prosecution violated legal procedures.
Justice Phildah Muzofa declared the trial invalid due to the absence of required authorisation from the Prosecutor General (PG), as mandated by the Protection of Wildlife (Indemnity) Act.
The officers – Andrew Masanga, Brighton Makichi, and Trynos Rwanga – were accused of fatally shooting Kurt Rahman in November 2018 during a confrontation in Darwendale.
Rahman and his companions were unlawfully hunting reedbucks when the police intervened. A shootout ensued, leading to Rahman’s death.
The court found that the prosecution had failed to obtain PG approval, which is a legal prerequisite when charging police officers acting under the indemnity of the Wildlife Act.
Justice Muzofa criticised the prosecution for failing to follow statutory requirements, noting that procedural violations rendered the case void.
