Policeman jailed for assault

A police officer stationed at Chitungwiza Police Station was last week sentenced to an effective six months in prison for assaulting a woman who had come to see her son at the station.

Constable Jacob Tsatse (29) of ZRP New Camp had once arrested the complainant Erina Chikumbanerwande (40) of Unit L in the same town. The court heard that on October 12 last year at around 10pm, Chikumbanerwande was at the station visiting her son who was under arrest.

While in the charge office, Chikumbanerwande had a heated argument with Tsatse who followed her on her way out.

Tsatse called for another police officer to apprehend Chikumbanerwande at the main gate on the grounds that she was fleeing from lawful custody.

The court heard that Tsatse slapped Chikumbanerwande several times, twisting her hand and kicking her on the ankle on her left leg.

After the assault, Tsatse handcuffed Chikumbanerwande and detained her in the cells at the police station. Later on, Tsatse released Chikumbanerwande, who went to seek medical attention.

Appearing before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Takunda Mutetwa, Tsatse denied assault charges, but was convicted after prosecutor Ms Ntombikayise Nleya proved a strong case against him.

Mr Mutetwa slapped him with a nine-month jail term with three months suspended for five years.

In passing sentence, Mr Mutetwa slammed Tsatse for bringing the name of the police into disrepute.

"You are a custodian of the law and what you did on the day was uncalled for," he said.