dyton mupawaenda
The Herald, October 23, 1992
REFUSED a cigarette by a passerby, a tipsy woman army captain whipped a pistol out of her handbag and blasted off five rounds into the air early yesterday morning in Harare while her companion held the smoker by the throat.
The startled and frightened man managed to break free, ignored the smoking gun and raced for safety, panting into the nearby Borrowdale police station, minutes later, police said yesterday.
The captain and her companion had left a drinking place in the area at about 4 am and while walking home met the man. The captain asked for the cigarette and received a reply the police described as “nasty”, although the exact words are unknown.
The captain’s companion then grabbed the man by the throat. On reaching the Borrowdale police station the frightened man made his report.
The police knew the captain. She had called in earlier asking for a lift home to Greystone Park and had been told that no car was available.
Meanwhile, she went to the home of an Air Force officer and handed her pistol over to the security guard at the entrance who woke the officer.
The police found the captain near the Air Force officer’s house and arrested her.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- A gun is a very dangerous weapon that should be handled carefully and only used when absolutely necessary. The captain in the story had no right to discharge her firearm since there was no danger.
- People should learn to be courteous. The complainant in the story incensed the captain and her colleague by responding nastily to her request for cigarettes although it did not justify her discharging her gun.
- Alcohol can impair one’s judgement, as such, people who imbibe should desist from carrying weapons such as guns when they go out to drink.
- It is important to do the right thing after you have done something wrong. The captain was sensible enough to hand over her firearm to a security guard for safe keeping as well as remaining put until the police came to arrest her.
Online Reporter