Victoria Falls man jailed for assaulting police officer

Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter

A Victoria Falls man has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after a daring assault on a police officer who was on duty at Mkhosana Police Base in Victoria Falls early this week.

Qhubekani Sibanda appeared before Victoria Falls Magistrate Ms Nyengeterai Bushu, charged with assaulting a peace officer as defined in Section 176 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

Prosecutor Mr Dingani Ntini told the court that on January 18, 2026 at Mkhosana Police Base, Sibanda unlawfully and intentionally assaulted Dumisani Matore, a peace officer acting in the course of his duty, by striking him with a hand-held brick once on the back of the left ear.

The accused knew or realised the risk that Matore was a peace officer.

“The complainant is the State, represented by Dumisani Matore, employed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and residing at ZRP Victoria Falls Camp. The accused is an unemployed adult residing at Mkhosana,” he said.

The court heard that on January 17, around 10pm, Constable Matore was on foot patrol in Mkhosana with two colleagues.

In the early hours of January 18, at around 2am, the team proceeded to Mukali Business Centre and instructed the bartender to close for operating after hours.

“The accused became violent and began influencing other patrons to revolt against the officers,” said Mr Ntini.

Sibanda escaped initial apprehension but later followed the officers toward the police base, throwing stones at them.

He then assaulted Constable Matore with a brick before being arrested.

A medical affidavit was prepared as evidence.

Sibanda pleaded guilty to the charge and blamed his actions on intoxication.

In mitigation, Sibanda told the court that he was the breadwinner of his family and pleaded with the court to be lenient with him.

However, Ms Bushu said he considered that Sibanda did not waste the court’s time.

She sentenced Sibanda to 12 months’ imprisonment.

Four months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

A further eight months were suspended on condition that he completes 315 hours of community service.
The effective sentence is therefore community service.