Cop assaulted by suspect he intended to arrest

A cop from Nyamandlovu was assaulted by a 23-year-old man he intended to arrest.

Mqondisi Ngwenya from Nyamandlovu in Matabeleland North Province was arraigned before the court facing two counts of assault and resisting a police officer.

Ngwenya was not asked to plead when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushowe yesterday.

He was remanded out of custody to September 23.

The State alleges that on September 6, the accused assaulted Felistus Sibanda several times with a log as well as open palms over a matter not mentioned in court.

A police report was made over the assault leading to two police officers who were manning the base to launch a manhunt after which they found Ngwenya at Igusi Shopping Centre.

Upon realising that the cops in the company of Sibanda were looking for him, Ngwenya started charging towards them, the court heard.

It is alleged, Ngwenya started threatening everyone who dared come his way and also ordered the police to release the complainant such that he could deal with her.

The police then informed him that he was under arrest of which he resisted.

One of the cops identified as Maxwell Mungunzwa attempted to get hold of him and Ngwenya threw a concrete brick that landed on the former's elbow.

As if that was not enough, the accused armed himself with two more bricks and threatened to kill the cops before he fled.

Ngwenya was later arrested while at his home.

As a result of the assault, the officer sustained bruises and a swollen elbow.