Man's privates mauled by police dogs

A man is fighting for his life at Masvingo Provincial Hospital after being mauled by police dogs during an operation targeting private pirate taxis, locally known as mushikashika, on Friday evening.

The man, whose identity could not be confirmed, was seen at the referral hospital under heavy police guard, struggling to walk with swollen testicles reportedly bitten by the police dogs during the operation.

Masvingo Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, confirmed the incident but said he was not in the office to provide full details and promised to give a statement on Sunday morning.

According to sources, the man had stopped by to observe the clash between police and a mushikashika driver, identified as Dhorobha, who had thrown himself under his car to prevent it from being impounded. Police allegedly unleashed their dogs in an attempt to arrest the driver, resulting in the bystander being mauled on his private parts.

Witnesses also reported that a Thunderun towing truck contracted by the police was damaged by an angry mob, forcing the officers to flee and allowing Dhorobha to drive away with his vehicle.

In a related incident, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) condemned the arrest and assault of Masvingo Mirror chief photographer Nyasha Mariga by police during the operation. ZUJ described the attack as a serious threat to media freedom, stating that Mariga was violently attacked, had his equipment confiscated, and was unlawfully detained while covering the public incident.

The union called on the Zimbabwe Republic Police to educate its members on the critical role of the media in a democratic society and to guarantee the safety and dignity of journalists while performing their duties.