adminNokusa Masuku Court Reporter
A POLICE officer allegedly assaulted a suspect on his eye inflicting injuries that caused blindness at an identification parade in Bulawayo’s Old Pumula suburb, a court heard yesterday.
Tsonang Nare, 24, the policeman approached Polite Ndlovu, 52, during an identification parade and asked him why he was speaking in a low voice.
The cop suddenly hit Ndlovu, a rape suspect, on his right eye with his fist and he started feeling dizzy and passed out.
Ndlovu’s eye bled due to the injury and an ambulance was called to ferry him to hospital.
Nare appeared before magistrate Themba Chimiso yesterday facing an assault charge and pleaded not guilty.
The police officer was remanded out of custody to December 17.
Prosecuting, Ruvimbo Chiboiwa told the court that in October this year, police officers at Old Pumula received a report alleging that Ndlovu had raped his daughter on several occasions.
Ndlovu was arrested and detained at the police station.
He was allowed to enter into the cells with his spectacles after he indicated that he had a problem with his right eye which had developed a growth of a cancerous nature.
Testifying, Nare told the court that he never laid a hand on Ndlovu but he stumbled and a book he was holding hit him.
“As I was reaching a stoop, I stumbled and fell. By the time I tried to regain my balance, Ndlovu was by my side and he was hit by the book.
“He started bleeding and puss was coming out because the eye already had a problem,” said Nare.
Online Reporter