News / Regional
Anti-Shona speaking men harass villagers
11 Oct 2015 at 16:45hrs | Views
A 23-YEAR-OLD Bulilima man in Matabeleland South has been slapped with an additional one-year jail term for attacking a police officer with a bicycle in protest over his arrest.
Shalen Dumani of Munyama Villlage is serving a 15-month jail sentence for harassing villagers and damaging property in protest over Shona-speaking people in the area. Dumani attacked the cop, Constable Simbarashe Matuwa, who was trying to arrest him for destroying property at a local store at Zuzaphi Business Centre.
Dumani denied the allegations and claimed that Matuwa was not injured by him. He was convicted by Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa for assaulting or resisting a police officer.
Mr Ruvetsa sentenced Dumani to 18 months in prison of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within the period commit an offence of the same nature. In his statement Constable Matuwa who is stationed at Madlambuzi Police Station told the court that he received a report that a group of men were destroying property at a shop and terrorising villagers.
"On 5 June I proceeded to attend the scene armed with a baton and handcuffs. As I advanced Dumani threw a bicycle at me and it hit me on the left arm causing a dislocation," said Matuwa.
He said Dumani was pursued by villagers who later apprehended him. Bulilima businessman, Bhekimpilo Nleya said Dumani who was in the company of two other men arrived at his shop at around 8PM and started throwing stones at villagers and breaking furniture.
Prosecutor, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said: "On 5 June around 8PM Constable Matuwa received a report of malicious damage to property. Upon effecting an arrest Dumani threw his bicycle at the police officer intending to resist arrest.
Constable Matuwa sustained a dislocation on his left elbow as a result of the attack and was later assisted by members of the public to arrest Dumani."
Mr Mazorodze said Matuwa was admitted at the United Bulawayo Hospitals. Dumani and his accomplice Obvious Ncube (34) were recently sentenced to 15 months imprisonment each after they attacked villagers in protest over Shona speaking people in their area. They also damaged property at a local businessman's shop after accusing him of employing a Shona speaking person to be his shopkeeper. Dumani and Ncube also assaulted Never Sibanda (58) after they found him seated with Shona speaking people.
Disgruntled community members then stripped them naked, assaulted them and paraded them after they were apprehended.
Dumani and Ncube destroyed 48 beer bottles, a zinc roller door, 16 plastic chairs and two empty crates all valued at $600.
Their accomplice Thabiso Mpala (28) was sentenced to two months imprisonment.
Shalen Dumani of Munyama Villlage is serving a 15-month jail sentence for harassing villagers and damaging property in protest over Shona-speaking people in the area. Dumani attacked the cop, Constable Simbarashe Matuwa, who was trying to arrest him for destroying property at a local store at Zuzaphi Business Centre.
Dumani denied the allegations and claimed that Matuwa was not injured by him. He was convicted by Plumtree magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa for assaulting or resisting a police officer.
Mr Ruvetsa sentenced Dumani to 18 months in prison of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within the period commit an offence of the same nature. In his statement Constable Matuwa who is stationed at Madlambuzi Police Station told the court that he received a report that a group of men were destroying property at a shop and terrorising villagers.
"On 5 June I proceeded to attend the scene armed with a baton and handcuffs. As I advanced Dumani threw a bicycle at me and it hit me on the left arm causing a dislocation," said Matuwa.
He said Dumani was pursued by villagers who later apprehended him. Bulilima businessman, Bhekimpilo Nleya said Dumani who was in the company of two other men arrived at his shop at around 8PM and started throwing stones at villagers and breaking furniture.
Prosecutor, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said: "On 5 June around 8PM Constable Matuwa received a report of malicious damage to property. Upon effecting an arrest Dumani threw his bicycle at the police officer intending to resist arrest.
Constable Matuwa sustained a dislocation on his left elbow as a result of the attack and was later assisted by members of the public to arrest Dumani."
Mr Mazorodze said Matuwa was admitted at the United Bulawayo Hospitals. Dumani and his accomplice Obvious Ncube (34) were recently sentenced to 15 months imprisonment each after they attacked villagers in protest over Shona speaking people in their area. They also damaged property at a local businessman's shop after accusing him of employing a Shona speaking person to be his shopkeeper. Dumani and Ncube also assaulted Never Sibanda (58) after they found him seated with Shona speaking people.
Disgruntled community members then stripped them naked, assaulted them and paraded them after they were apprehended.
Dumani and Ncube destroyed 48 beer bottles, a zinc roller door, 16 plastic chairs and two empty crates all valued at $600.
Their accomplice Thabiso Mpala (28) was sentenced to two months imprisonment.
Source - sundaynews
