Cops throw missiles during Dynamos-Bosso match

FOUR Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers attached to the police band training unit in Harare yesterday appeared at the Mbare Magistrates' Court charged with criminal nuisance after they allegedly threw missiles into the pitch following Highlanders' defeat by Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

The police officers who were clad in the Highlanders team regalia, Mbongeni Luphahla (25), Dalubuhle Luphahla (19), Hilton Mguni (23) and Mteleleki Mlilo (30) were not asked to plead when they appeared before Mbare magistrate Shelly Zvenyika where they were granted $30 bail each and the matter remanded to June 27.

Allegations against the police officiers are that on June 28 they were at Rufaro Stadium in Mbare watching a soccer match between Highlanders and Dynamos when they turned rowdy after the Harare giants won the match and began throwing missiles and empty containers into the football pitch.

They were ordered not to interfere with witnesses and to reside at the addresses they gave to the court.

The quartet is being represented by Harare lawyer, Moses Nyatsoma.

Prosecutor Vincent Chikerema alleged that on June 28, the four were at Rufaro Stadium watching a football match between Dynamos and Highlanders.

It is alleged that at the end of the match, the quartet was seen by police officers throwing empty beer bottles on the pitch and causing public disorder.

It is the State's case the police officer who saw them asked them to stop throwing the empty bottles but the four failed to comply, leading to their arrest.