Cop jailed for brutal assault on motorist

A Zimbabwe Republic Police officer has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of violently assaulting a motorist at a roadblock along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road, in a case a magistrate said underscored the judiciary's firm stance against police brutality.

Constable Nosizi Sinyoro, aged 33, was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate Courage Mudenda following a full trial. Four other officers initially charged alongside him were acquitted after successfully applying for discharge at the close of the State case.

The court heard that the incident occurred on September 1 last year at a roadblock near the Nyamandlovu turn-off along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road, where police officers had stopped a vehicle driven by Bakhile Nkomo.

Following an exchange of words, Sinyoro allegedly pulled Nkomo from his vehicle and kicked him violently in the stomach. The assault reportedly continued as the motorist was being transported under arrest to Sauerstown Police Station.

Prosecutor Samuel Mpofu told the court that Nkomo later began vomiting blood and was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital, where he received treatment for life-threatening injuries.

In delivering judgment, Magistrate Mudenda said the State case was compelling, noting that witness testimony consistently pointed to Sinyoro as the sole perpetrator despite the presence of other officers at the scene.

He said there was no evidence suggesting witnesses had a motive to falsely single out the accused, while medical evidence supported the complainant's account of events.

"If he had lied, he would have falsely implicated all five officers," Mudenda said, adding that another witness, Ryan Ncube, also identified Sinyoro as the attacker.

The magistrate further noted that one of the co-accused officers, who was later discharged, appeared to be a "suspect witness" given his proximity to the incident and possible interest in shielding Sinyoro.

The court also observed that the defence did not dispute physical contact between Sinyoro and the complainant, although the officer maintained that he had only been assisting the motorist out of the vehicle.

In sentencing, Mudenda said Sinyoro's clean disciplinary record was taken into account but was outweighed by the seriousness of the offence.

"The offender attacked a defenceless victim in a demeaning manner. Cases of police brutality are on the rise," he said.

"The offender held a position of authority. We expect police officers to protect and not harm civilians. A message has to be sent to the community that no-one is above the law."

One year of the four-year sentence was suspended on condition of good behaviour.