News / National
Cop injured in MDC-T attack
05 Jun 2012 at 07:03hrs | Views
ROWDY MDC-T youths yesterday besieged the High Court in Harare where they assaulted and injured a policeman during an illegal demonstration.
They were demanding the release of MDC-T youth assembly president Solomon Madzore and 28 others accused of murdering police Inspector Petros Mutedza in May last year.
Violence broke out at the High Court along Samora Machel Avenue at around 11am and police had to fire teargas canisters to disperse the violent group.
The policeman - who was part of a police reaction group deployed to calm the situation at the courts - sustained a deep cut in the face.
There was a pool of blood at the main entrance of the High Court near the sculpture of the scales of justice.
The policeman received first aid from the High Court clinic before being taken to hospital.
The supporters were chanting MDC-T slogans outside the court demanding the release of the 29 suspects.
Business came to a halt at the High Court with judges and other officials struggling to enter the premises.
A Mercedes Benz belonging to a judge only entered the court premises after security personnel had dispersed the gang.
Police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau denounced the attack.
"There was a demonstration today at the High Court where close to 100 people gathered to protest against the trial proceedings of the murder suspects of Inspector Mutedza who was murdered in Glen View.
"One police officer who had gone to make sure there was peace at the courts was attacked and injured by the demonstrators.
"We are worried as the police in Harare that we have people who do not have respect for the rule of law. Let us allow the courts of law to prove the suspects guilty or innocent without interference.
"We are a country that respects its laws and as police we will not standby and watch when people fail to respect the law.
"All those who would like to cause mayhem in the capital city must be warned that we will not tolerate this," he said in a statement.
"Investigations are underway and no arrests have been made so far," he said.
The group threw flyers bearing the MDC-T logo demanding the release of the 29 and accused police of being brutal.
Meanwhile, the trial of the 29 opened yesterday before Justice Chinembiri Bhunu.
The defence team comprising Mr Charles Kwaramba, Ms Beatrice Mte-twa, Mr Alec Muchadehama, Mr Selby Hwacha and Mr Gift Mutisi read out the 29 defence outlines separately in which the suspects were denying the murder charges.
Justice Bhunu deferred the proceedings to today when the defence team is expected to pursue a bail application that was lodged in April, but held in abeyance pending the reading of the defence outlines.
They were demanding the release of MDC-T youth assembly president Solomon Madzore and 28 others accused of murdering police Inspector Petros Mutedza in May last year.
Violence broke out at the High Court along Samora Machel Avenue at around 11am and police had to fire teargas canisters to disperse the violent group.
The policeman - who was part of a police reaction group deployed to calm the situation at the courts - sustained a deep cut in the face.
There was a pool of blood at the main entrance of the High Court near the sculpture of the scales of justice.
The policeman received first aid from the High Court clinic before being taken to hospital.
The supporters were chanting MDC-T slogans outside the court demanding the release of the 29 suspects.
Business came to a halt at the High Court with judges and other officials struggling to enter the premises.
A Mercedes Benz belonging to a judge only entered the court premises after security personnel had dispersed the gang.
Police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau denounced the attack.
"One police officer who had gone to make sure there was peace at the courts was attacked and injured by the demonstrators.
"We are worried as the police in Harare that we have people who do not have respect for the rule of law. Let us allow the courts of law to prove the suspects guilty or innocent without interference.
"We are a country that respects its laws and as police we will not standby and watch when people fail to respect the law.
"All those who would like to cause mayhem in the capital city must be warned that we will not tolerate this," he said in a statement.
"Investigations are underway and no arrests have been made so far," he said.
The group threw flyers bearing the MDC-T logo demanding the release of the 29 and accused police of being brutal.
Meanwhile, the trial of the 29 opened yesterday before Justice Chinembiri Bhunu.
The defence team comprising Mr Charles Kwaramba, Ms Beatrice Mte-twa, Mr Alec Muchadehama, Mr Selby Hwacha and Mr Gift Mutisi read out the 29 defence outlines separately in which the suspects were denying the murder charges.
Justice Bhunu deferred the proceedings to today when the defence team is expected to pursue a bail application that was lodged in April, but held in abeyance pending the reading of the defence outlines.
Source - TH
