Online Reporter
IT was a collision of horsepower and donkey-power, and when metal clanged against metal in the dead of night, chaos exploded like a scene from a village action movie.
An unusual traffic accident turned into a brutal beatdown after a Ford Ranger, allegedly driven by a police officer, was struck from behind by a scotch cart in Upper Rangemore.
The stranger-than-fiction incident occurred at around 1:23 AM on 9 June 2025. Manase Madzimu (41), who resides at the ZRP Hillside camp, was driving his grey Ford Ranger registered as AGQ 1338. Just as he was cruising past Upper Rangemore, a metal object protruding from a scotch cart rammed into his car from behind, leaving him stunned and furious.
In the donkey-powered cart, was Wilson Nyirenda (41) who appeared unfazed by the chaos he had caused.
However, Madzimu was not about to let the slight by his village age-mate slide. Possibly driven by road rage and duty-bound instincts, he tailed the scotch cart all the way to Mbuwa plot in Rangemore, where things took a wild and violent turn.
As Madzimu jumped out of his Ranger and approached Wilson for answers, Wilson reportedly let out a dramatic scream that summoned his sons like a commander calling in reinforcements. Out of the darkness emerged Mthokozisi Nyirenda (16) and Mpumelelo Maphosa (22), and the two joined their father in launching a three-on-one ambush on the stunned Ranger driver.
According to court records, the trio punched, slapped and even flogged Madzimu with a log all over his body. The assault was so severe that he had to seek medical attention, spending US$60 to get patched up.
Appearing before Western Commonage Magistrate, Archie Wochiwunga, the accused trio did not deny the offence.
Instead, the boys claimed they were simply protecting their father from a furious man charging toward their homestead in the middle of the night.
All three pleaded guilty to assault charges, and the case has been postponed to June 25 for sentencing.
Peter Tanyanyiwa