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Cops in court over release of suspect
2 hrs ago |
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Two officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have appeared in court accused of unlawfully releasing a suspect and failing to follow official procedures after responding to an assault report in Athlone, Greendale, Harare.
The officers, Paul Matambo (36) and Evidence Jarahwenya (37), who are stationed at ZRP Highlands Police Station, face allegations of misconduct linked to an incident that allegedly occurred on January 23, 2026.
According to the State, Matambo, who was the duty officer at the time, received a report of an alleged assault at number 33 Vernon Avenue in Athlone. The complaint was reportedly made by Moore Shoko.
Prosecutors say Matambo then sought assistance from Jarahwenya and her night patrol team, who had a motorised unit, and the officers proceeded to the scene accompanied by about six other constables.
At the scene, they allegedly found a Chinese national identified as Zishan Zhang. The State says Zhang was handcuffed while statements were taken from Xiaomei Xu and the complainant.
However, prosecutors allege that the officers later failed to follow required procedures after taking Zhang to the police station.
Court papers state that the matter was not recorded in the police Reports Received Book (RRB) as required by police regulations.
Instead, the officers are accused of releasing Zhang without recording his full personal details or obtaining authority from the officer in charge or from ZRP Rhodesville Police Station, even though the incident reportedly occurred within Rhodesville's jurisdiction.
Prosecutors further allege that Zhang later fled Zimbabwe and is now believed to be hiding in Botswana.
The State also claims that Matambo attempted to cover up the incident by entering a report in the RRB on January 24, 2026, stating that attending the scene had not been necessary because the location fell outside their jurisdiction.
In addition, prosecutors allege that a statement recorded from Xu on January 23 was later altered to suggest it had been taken a day later.
According to the prosecution, the actions of the two officers were contrary to their duties as members of the police force.
The officers, Paul Matambo (36) and Evidence Jarahwenya (37), who are stationed at ZRP Highlands Police Station, face allegations of misconduct linked to an incident that allegedly occurred on January 23, 2026.
According to the State, Matambo, who was the duty officer at the time, received a report of an alleged assault at number 33 Vernon Avenue in Athlone. The complaint was reportedly made by Moore Shoko.
Prosecutors say Matambo then sought assistance from Jarahwenya and her night patrol team, who had a motorised unit, and the officers proceeded to the scene accompanied by about six other constables.
At the scene, they allegedly found a Chinese national identified as Zishan Zhang. The State says Zhang was handcuffed while statements were taken from Xiaomei Xu and the complainant.
However, prosecutors allege that the officers later failed to follow required procedures after taking Zhang to the police station.
Instead, the officers are accused of releasing Zhang without recording his full personal details or obtaining authority from the officer in charge or from ZRP Rhodesville Police Station, even though the incident reportedly occurred within Rhodesville's jurisdiction.
Prosecutors further allege that Zhang later fled Zimbabwe and is now believed to be hiding in Botswana.
The State also claims that Matambo attempted to cover up the incident by entering a report in the RRB on January 24, 2026, stating that attending the scene had not been necessary because the location fell outside their jurisdiction.
In addition, prosecutors allege that a statement recorded from Xu on January 23 was later altered to suggest it had been taken a day later.
According to the prosecution, the actions of the two officers were contrary to their duties as members of the police force.
Source - online
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