Chihuri's court cases mount

A detective constable in the Zimbabwe Republic Police Criminal Investigations Department has dragged Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri to the High Court challenging a 7-day term of imprisonment imposed on him over an act of misconduct.

Lazarus Gondo, who has served within the police force for the past 16 years, was found guilty under the Police Act on charges of conduct likely to prejudice the good order of police discipline and was sentenced to seven days imprisonment.  

He however is seeking recourse at the High Court and cites the Board President, Chief Superintendent Mutifori and Commissioner General Chihuri as respondents.

Gondo is alleged to have procured a driver's licence for a man, who later filed a complaint against him, which led to his arrest.

He argues that he only assisted the complainant by witnessing during the registration of his vehicle and never in procuring a licence as alleged.

In response, Commissioner General Chihuri rubbished Gondo's appeal saying the 7-day sentence is within the sentencing powers of the trial officer.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Bongani Hlabangani filed an urgent High Court application against Chihuri, Senior Assistant Commissioner one M Tanyanywa and Chief Superintendent one T Nyamukoho seeking an interdict to stop the police from convening a disciplinary hearing against him.

Hlabangani, in his founding affidavit, accuses Chihuri, Tanyanywa and Nyamukoho of dragging him to a disciplinary hearing despite his acquittal at the Beitbridge Magistrates Court over the same charges.

This followed his arrest on April 18, last year at the border post on corruption charges. Hlabangani said despite his acquittal by the courts, the police force dragged him to a one-man disciplinary hearing on June 5, 2014. He was sentenced to 10 days in detention.

When he challenged the sentence, Chihuri allegedly dismissed the appeal.

Hlabangani said Chihuri later made him to sign a warning memorandum and instructed Tanyanywa and Nyamukoho to appoint a board of inquiry to convene a disciplinary hearing.

Hlabangani is seeking an interdict to stop the board of inquiry from convening, fearing an unfair hearing.