admin
Temba Dube Senior Reporter
WHAT’S in a name…?
A SUSPECT in an unlawful entry and theft case proved too powerful for police officers who fled their base when he stormed it and set upon them with bricks, an Okapi knife and a knobkerrie. Mandla Power Ndlovu, 46, allegedly assaulted two police officers at Sun Yet Sen base with fists and when they fled, he attacked them with bricks before challenging them to come back and fight him, a magistrate heard.
One officer sustained injuries to his head and back after being hit by bricks thrown by the rampaging Ndlovu.
The officers hid behind a bush before using their mobile phones to call for back up.
Kezi magistrate Jimmy Ntonga on Monday heard how eight heavily armed policemen from the main police station in the area were needed to subdue a rampaging Ndlovu who was demanding the release of property he allegedly stole.
According to the prosecutor, Owen Mapolisa, Ndlovu allegedly stole household property that included a double bed from a complainant who was not named in court records and gave the property to a relative to sell on his behalf.
However, his plan hit a snag when the owner of the stolen property who had come to buy the bed identified it as his.
The bed was taken to the police base at Kafusi Manuka in Sun Yet Sen.
While the complainant was having his statement taken, Ndlovu allegedly arrived at the station armed with a knobkerrie and a knife and demanded that police give him “his bed.”
“The accused demanded the immediate release of a double bed which was being held by two officers, Constables Tendai Machobani and Cuthbert Mapika as an exhibit in a case of unlawful entry,” Mapolisa told the court.
“He threatened to kill the officers if they did not follow his instruction. Efforts to calm him were unsuccessful as he became more aggressive.”
He said the accused began assaulting the officers and as they fled from the base, Ndlovu picked up some bricks and hit Cst Machobani on the back of the head and on his back, injuring him.
The complainant also took to his heels.
Ndlovu allegedly remained at the camp, shouting at the officers and challenging them to return and face him.
The two officers, who ran and hid at a nearby bush, reportedly used their cellphones to call for back up from the mother station.
“Eight armed police officers were needed to subdue and arrest him,” said Mapolisa.
Ntonga acquitted Ndlovu on the unlawful entry and theft charge but convicted him on the charge of assaulting police officers.
Ndlovu was sentenced to 10 months in prison, of which four were suspended on condition that he did not within five years, commit an offence involving assault.
Online Reporter