2 jailed for assaulting eviction officers

Two men from Harare have been sentenced to prison after being convicted of assaulting peace officers during an eviction exercise in Waterfalls.

Thulani Nyamhunga (18) and Kudakwashe Masusa (25) appeared before the Mbare Magistrates Court where they were each sentenced to 20 months imprisonment.

Six months of each sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving them to serve an effective 14 months behind bars.

The court heard that the incident occurred on October 9, 2025, at around 10:30am in Stoneridge Park, Waterfalls, Harare, during an eviction operation involving peace officers led by Charles Chikosa and his colleagues.

While the team was carrying out their duties, Nyamhunga and Masusa allegedly arrived in two vehicles—a white Toyota Wish and a Honda Fit—accompanied by other unidentified individuals.

The group resisted the eviction and allegedly attacked Chikosa using sticks and tree branches, demanding that he leave the property, which they claimed belonged to them.

It was further alleged that the accused forced Chikosa to return property that had been removed from the premises during the operation.

Although Chikosa did not sustain visible injuries and was not medically examined, he later reported the matter to police, leading to the arrest of the two suspects.

Following trial, the court found the pair guilty of assaulting peace officers engaged in lawful duties and imposed custodial sentences with partial suspension for good behaviour.