Trial date for Shamva police officers set

Benedict Tapfuma (22) and Blessing Saidi (26) who are also accused of murdering Luxmore Chivambo are alleged to have injured 11 other people.
The seven appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei last Friday.

Prosecutor Mr David Magwegwe submitted that the State will be ready to prosecute them on June 14 this year.
It is alleged Shumba’s wife, Judith, was robbed of a purse containing US$100 and a mobile phone.
She allegedly reported the theft to Shumba who mobilised his subordinates to investigate the matter.
They reportedly rounded up residents of Ashley Compound and assaulted them demanding to know who had stolen Judith’s cash and cell phone.

The policemen allegedly kicked and punched the residents at the same time hitting them with baton sticks, demanding to know who had stolen from Shumba’s wife.
It is the State’s case that they also raided Chivambo’s house and forcibly opened the door while Chivambo was sleeping with his wife.
They allegedly dragged him outside while punching and kicking him in full view of his wife, Marjory.
Chivambo’s cousin, a member of the Zimbabwe Prison Service, tried to intervene to no avail as he was also assaulted before he fled.

Chivambo and the other complainants were forced to crawl to a police car parked nearby.
They were later taken to Shamva Police Station where they were further assaulted and detained despite the critical injuries they had sustained during the assault.

The following day around 1pm, the court heard, Shumba was informed that Chivambo was vomiting blood and could not eat.
He authorised his subordinates to take him to hospital for treatment.
Chivambo died two hours after admission at Shamva District Hospital. On March 20, a post-mortem was conducted and revealed that Chivambo’s death was due to multiple injuries caused by the assault.

It is further alleged that on the same day, the other 11 complainants were referred to Bindura Provincial Hospital.
Medical examinations established that they sustained moderate injuries except for three of them who were seriously injured.