Policeman ‘assaults’ woman under interrogation

Tatenda Gapare, Sunday News Reporter
A POLICE officer in Bulawayo has been arraigned before the courts facing charges of assaulting a Magwegwe woman while interrogating her over a stolen mobile phone allegation.

Tenson Mike (33), a police officer based at Magwegwe Station was charged for assault by the magistrate of West Commonage court Mr Themba Chimiso.

Prosecuting, Mr Tony Kamudyariwa said on 6 September around 2pm Jacqueline Mazwi (26), and her three friends were arrested after being suspected of stealing a mobile phone belonging to a woman identified as MaNdlovu.

“On 5 September Mazwi and her friends attended a party in Lobengula West with MaNdlovu. It is alleged that MaNdlovu gave Mazwi her handbag while she went on to dance,” said Mr Kamudyariwa.

It is alleged that Mazwi also went on to join the dance floor, leaving the bag with her friends.

Mr Kamudyariwa told the court that when MaNdlovu later received her bag her mobile phone was missing and she quickly concluded that it was Mazwi and her friends who stole it. She proceeded to report the matter at Magwegwe Police Station leading to the arrest of Mazwi and her friends.

It is alleged that Mazwi was taken to a charge office where she was detained.

“Mike took Mazwi to a room where he severely assaulted her on the feet, forearm and wrists using a baton. She was beaten by the police officer using a baton in an attempt to make her confess the robbery of a Nokia mobile phone,” said Mr Kamudyariwa.

Testifying, Mazwi alleged that Mike beat her under her feet further threatening her and three other suspects with painting their faces with ink used for taking finger prints.

“Among things that I was made to do was lifting a dust bin with my teeth and I was also hung on an iron bar and beaten under my feet, they even purposely tightened the handcuffs,” said Mazwi.

Mazwi reported the matter leading to the arrest of the police officer.

In court Mike refuted the allegations that he assaulted Mazwi and indicated that he was at the charge office with other police officers.

Mike was remanded out of custody to 30 September when the trial date will be set.