Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Four Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officers, who were stationed at the New Government complex on guard duties, appeared in court yesterday charged with murder after they allegedly beat a suspected intruder to death.
The four, Nqobile Dube, Gladman Faith Makoni, Godfrey Damu and Munashe Arkins Zvavambire appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova. They were remanded in custody to Monday pending bail considerations.
The court heard that on March 6, between 6-7pm and at New Government Complex at corner central Ave-nue and
Simon Muzenda in Harare,
Kandemiiri Jeffreys visited the scene intending to meet his uncle Kandemiiri Malvern, who works at the complex.
Upon arrival, he was chased away by members of the ZPCS, who provide security at New Government complex.
As he was going down the stairs, he met the quartet on the second floor, which led to an altercation.
The four guards allegedly assaulted the deceased.
Dube allegedly kicked him repeatedly on the stomach, while the other three Makoni Gladman and Damu Godfrey hit him with fists all over his body.
The quartet allegedly then took him to the basement, where the assault continued.
In the basement, Dube allegedly kicked the deceased in the stomach and stepped on him with force whilst he was lying on the ground.
Damu allegedly used a broom to beat the deceased on both legs, forcing him to roll on the ground.
The quartet was eventually restrained by their coworkers who are the witnesses in this case. The victim was ordered to vacate the premises.
He then proceeded to Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus, where he lost consciousness.
He was then taken to his Mabvuku home by well-wishers while complaining of internal injuries.
His mother took him to a local clinic in Mabvuku, where he was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital, and was admitted for seven days.
He passed away on March 14.
A forensic post-mortem was conducted, and the report indicated that the cause of death was blunt trauma, resulting in a severe abdominal infection direct linked to the trauma injuries due to the assault.
dyton mupawaenda