News / Regional
Obert Mpofu's guard back in hospital
12 Apr 2016 at 11:29hrs | Views
A female police officer who was allegedly shot by a male colleague last year while he was trying to sneak into a Government minister's house she was guarding is critically ill and has been hospitalised again. Constable Hazel Mutasa was allegedly shot by Constable Lloyd Salobe (29) at Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Obert Mpofu's Gunhill residence in Harare in October last year.
Salobe, who was remanded in his trial court, was brought back into the remand court due to Mutasa's worsening condition. Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo remanded Salobe to April 25 pending Mutasa's recovery.
"The complainant's condition is worsening and she is not yet out of the woods. Accused will remain in custody pending her recovery or more serious charges might arise," said Mr Makomo. It is alleged that Salobe shot Mutasa will trying to sneak into Minister Mpofu's house to see his lover, a housemaid at that house.
Salobe is facing charges of attempted murder and supplying false information. The prosecutor, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa, alleged that on October 30 last year, Salobe and his colleague in the Police Protection Unit, Mutasa, were together on parade at Harare Central Police Station before being deployed to provide night security services in Highlands and Gunhill, respectively.
While at his station (Justice Lavender Makoni's home), Salobe decided to visit his girlfriend at Minister Mpofu's home where Mutasa was on duty. At around 10pm, Salobe allegedly called his girlfriend informing her that he was coming over.
The court heard that at around 2am, Mutasa heard a knock at the guardroom and asked for the day's password. Salobe gave the correct password and Mutasa opened the guardroom. It is alleged that Mutasa was surprised to see that the visitor was wearing a face mask and armed with an AK47 rifle. Salobe ordered Mutasa to follow his orders and she dropped her gun and surrendered.
He kicked Mutasa and she fell to the ground before a scuffle ensued. Trying to free herself, Mutasa allegedly crawled towards the house intending to alert the residents. It is alleged that Salobe then shot her on the left side of her abdomen.
Thinking that Mutasa was dead, Salobe scaled the precast wall and fled to his work station. To cover his tracks, Salobe allegedly tore his uniform and scratched his face, stomach and chest using thorns. It is alleged that he told residents at his work station that he was attacked by an assailant who stole his firearm and police uniform.
He added that the assailant returned the firearm minutes later with two rounds of ammunition missing. He reported the matter to the police and investigations revealed that he had filed a false report. The face mask was also recovered at his work station. A medical examination concluded that Mutasa suffered lacerations on her backside and lower abdomen.
Salobe, who was remanded in his trial court, was brought back into the remand court due to Mutasa's worsening condition. Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo remanded Salobe to April 25 pending Mutasa's recovery.
"The complainant's condition is worsening and she is not yet out of the woods. Accused will remain in custody pending her recovery or more serious charges might arise," said Mr Makomo. It is alleged that Salobe shot Mutasa will trying to sneak into Minister Mpofu's house to see his lover, a housemaid at that house.
Salobe is facing charges of attempted murder and supplying false information. The prosecutor, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa, alleged that on October 30 last year, Salobe and his colleague in the Police Protection Unit, Mutasa, were together on parade at Harare Central Police Station before being deployed to provide night security services in Highlands and Gunhill, respectively.
While at his station (Justice Lavender Makoni's home), Salobe decided to visit his girlfriend at Minister Mpofu's home where Mutasa was on duty. At around 10pm, Salobe allegedly called his girlfriend informing her that he was coming over.
The court heard that at around 2am, Mutasa heard a knock at the guardroom and asked for the day's password. Salobe gave the correct password and Mutasa opened the guardroom. It is alleged that Mutasa was surprised to see that the visitor was wearing a face mask and armed with an AK47 rifle. Salobe ordered Mutasa to follow his orders and she dropped her gun and surrendered.
He kicked Mutasa and she fell to the ground before a scuffle ensued. Trying to free herself, Mutasa allegedly crawled towards the house intending to alert the residents. It is alleged that Salobe then shot her on the left side of her abdomen.
Thinking that Mutasa was dead, Salobe scaled the precast wall and fled to his work station. To cover his tracks, Salobe allegedly tore his uniform and scratched his face, stomach and chest using thorns. It is alleged that he told residents at his work station that he was attacked by an assailant who stole his firearm and police uniform.
He added that the assailant returned the firearm minutes later with two rounds of ammunition missing. He reported the matter to the police and investigations revealed that he had filed a false report. The face mask was also recovered at his work station. A medical examination concluded that Mutasa suffered lacerations on her backside and lower abdomen.
Source - chronicle
