UZ guards accused of assaulting delivery man

Three University of Zimbabwe (UZ) security guards have appeared in court facing assault charges after allegedly attacking a delivery man they accused of theft.

The accused - Chipo Munyikwa (35), Tonderai Mudzinganyama (55), and Jorum Mushayi (61) - appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court but did not enter a plea.

The complainant, Shepherd Mutamba (27), a delivery cyclist residing in Eye Court, Waterfalls, was allegedly assaulted on September 11 during what began as a routine cash collection errand.

According to the prosecution, Mutamba received a WhatsApp message from a client, Amos Sarai, instructing him to collect US$250 at the UZ farm. Upon arrival, he met Munyikwa, who handed him the cash. Mutamba later confirmed the transaction with Sarai and transferred the money via EcoCash as instructed.

Later that day, Sarai reportedly requested Mutamba to collect another payment, but since he was finishing work, he postponed it to the following day. The next morning, Mutamba was instructed to collect US$1 500 from a woman named Florence at the same location.

Before heading to the university farm, he made another delivery in Glen View, then proceeded to UZ to complete the collection. Upon arrival, he asked to see Florence, who appeared to be retrieving money from her handbag while gesturing toward Munyikwa.

Moments later, Mutamba was allegedly surrounded by UZ security guards. Munyikwa reportedly slapped him before her colleagues handcuffed and accused him of theft. The trio allegedly took turns assaulting him while transporting him to the University of Zimbabwe main campus.

The case has raised concerns about the handling of civilian interactions by institutional security officers. The accused were remanded pending further investigations.