Dembare player assaults a police officer

THE trial of Dynamos FC player Oscar Machapa, who allegedly assaulted a police officer Sergeant Tendai Jiri after a match between his team and ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium, started at the Harare  magistrates' court yesterday.

Machapa (27), of number 39296 Dzivarasekwa 3 in Harare, appeared before magistrate Ms Nomsa Sabarauta.

Narrating his ordeal, Jiri, who was the first State witness, told the court that Machapa grabbed him by the collar and forcibly entered into the main pitch at the National Sports Stadium in Harare following his team's 2-1 defeat to ZPC Kariba.

As part of his duties, Jiri told the court that he was to make sure that no one from the terraces would have access into the main pitch for the safety of players and match officials.

"I was on duty at the National Sports Stadium providing security for the match between Dynamos and ZPC Kariba," he said.

"At the end of the match I was re-deployed to the VIP small gate which leads to the main ground."

"The accused came to the gate and tried to forcibly enter into the ground. He was advised to use another entrance, but he became resistant, pushed the gate and grabbed me by the collar. He pushed me away and in the process many people entered through that gate."

Machapa pleaded not guilty to the charges and told the court that he pushed the police officer by mistake after he was pushed from behind in the skirmish.

Prosecutor Peter Kachirika alleged that on November 8 this year at around 5pm after the match between Dynamos FC and ZPC Kariba, Machapa refused to comply with the policeman's order and became violent.

Machapa was apprehended after Jiri sought help from Constable Chinomwe.

The trial continues tomorrow.