Soldiers arrested for assaulting cops

THREE soldiers appeared in court on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting police officers who had arrested their friends at a business centre in Chiredzi.

The three, Obert Chauke, 23, Hlawalawi Musengi, 21, and Moses Hungoidza, 20, allegedly teamed up with two other unemployed men Hasani Muzamani, 32, and Davison Chekenyere, 18, to beat up police officers who had intervened in a public fight involving the soldiers' friends.

Prosecutor Tangayi Chipangura told the court that the soldiers and their two accomplices demanded the release of their three friends, but when their orders were resisted, they assaulted the police officers, whose numbers were not given.

"On the 25th day of December 2013 at around 1600 hours and at Chilonga Business centre Chiredzi, accused persons were drinking beer at the business centre. Whilst there, Tinovada Bere, Justice Majatami and Moses Lihenga who were also drinking had a dispute over the music to be played.

"They started fighting each other and police officers who were on duty arrested them," said Chipangura.

The five, who would be back in court on Monday next week for sentencing, are alleged to have attacked the police officers using empty beer bottles and stones.

"Accused persons then charged towards the police officers demanding the release of the arrested three. A misunderstand began and this resulted in the accused persons driving away the police officers with stones and empty bottles," said Chipangura.

However, the five, through their lawyer Wellington Muzenda denied the charge saying they were just unfortunate to be picked after police were attacked by a mob.

"The accused persons deny the charges. They allege that they never interfered with the execution of the police duties. Further they deny assaulting the said police officers. The police were attacked by a mob of up to hundred people at Chilonga Business Centre," said Muzenda.

The defence lawyer also said police did not carry out their investigations properly as they just arrested the five and never carried out an identification parade.