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Court Reporter
A GROUP of eight touts has been arrested for allegedly fighting three policemen who had arrested their colleague at the Basch Street Terminus, popularly known as Egodini.The three policemen arrested a tout identified as Mgcini for driving a commuter omnibus without a licence and when taking him to Bulawayo Central Police Station, some touts mobbed them demanding that they free him.
Nowell Ndlovu (28), Mfanelo Dube (30), Perfect Moyo (19), Lloyd Maphosa (21), Casper Chitsara (34), Pravda Mguni (30), Gamelihle Tshuma (22) and Mpumelelo Moyo (20) were not asked to plead to public violence when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Victor Mpofu on Saturday.
The eight were remanded out of custody to tomorrow on $30 bail. Ndlovu gave his address as 8756 Cowdray Park while Dube resides at 911 Old Luveve, Moyo at 61117 Pelandaba, Maphosa 15004 Nkulumane 12 and Chitsara at 14492 Pumula South.
Mguni is of 31049/28 Entumbane while Tshuma and Mpumelelo Moyo reside at 8377 Pumula East and 12871 Nkulumane 12 respectively.
Allegations by the State are that on Thursday last week, Constables Ndlovu, Dzafiwa and Musariwa were on duty and arrested Mgcini at the terminus.
The court was told that the accused persons threatened to assault the three policemen if they did not release their colleague. They ended up damaging a taxi belonging to Mr Patrick Gomba that was parked near Basch Street Terminus. It is alleged the three policemen gave in to the touts’ demands and released Mgcini.
However, they phoned for reinforcements leading to the arrest of the eight. Miss Caroline Matanga is representing the State while Mr Dumisani Dube of Cheda and Partners appears for the accused.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter