Cops torture suspect to death

Three Harare police officers allegedly took turns to brutally assault a suspect who had allegedly broken into the house of one of the officers, until he died.

Chikena Mumpande of Flat B, Glen Norah Camp, Harare, Gcobani Mkwananzi of 6717 Westlea, Harare, and Renias Mapfumo, of ZRP Bindura, appeared before Justice Moyo, sitting with assessors, Wellington Takawira Matemba and Chipo Junior Baye, appeared before High Court Judge, Justice Nokuthula Moyo, in Gweru yesterday facing murder charges.

They allegedly took turns to assault Oliver Nyagondo with a baton stick under his feet and all over his body after suspecting he had broken into Mumpande's house in Mvuma.

The trio pleaded not guilty, with investigating Officer, Emmanuel Watyoka, telling the court it was difficult to investigate the case as police officers stationed at Mvuma were uncooperative.

The state's key witness, Munyaradzi Chirwa, denied the contents of his warned and cautioned statement, saying he was forced to sign it.

The statement stated that Chirwa had been picked up by the three police officers as one of the six suspects who had broken into Mumpande's house.
In his statement, Chirwa had said when Nyagondo was returned to the cells, he could hardly walk or sit and his condition deteriorated until he died.

But yesterday, he said he was beaten by police until he signed the statement.

The cops' lawyer, yesterday approached the bench seeking a discharge of the case citing lack of evidence.

Justice Moyo is expected to make a ruling this morning.

The state will seek to prove that on 31 December 2007, Mumpande's house in Mvuma was broken into.

On January 3, 2008, the three accused went to Mvuma and started interrogating the Nyagondo and the other suspects.

They took turns to beat up Nyagondo with a baton under the feet and all over the body several times, forcing him to make a confession the State alleges.

After the alleged assault, Mumpande, Mkwananzi and Mapfumo returned Nyagondo to the cells but he could neither sit nor walk properly.

Mupande was allegedly told Nyagondo was dying but he allegedly said he would not take a criminal to hospital.

The deceased's condition deteriorated resulting in the three police officers taking him to Mvuma District Hospital where he was admitted.
After two days, Nyagondo was transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he died on January 10, 2008.

A post-mortem carried out at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo revealed that Nyagondo's death was a result of asphyxia, trauma (assault) and aspiration.