Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the murder of a policeman, Constable Wonder Hokoyo, who was hacked to death by a machete gang at Good Hope Mine in Battlefields recently.
The minor is among nine suspects who have been arrested in connection with the police officer’s murder.
Meanwhile, legal expert, Lovemore Madhuku, said that a minor above the age of seven could be arrested for an offence and be tried, not in a public court, but in-camera. He said:
At the age of 14, minors are capable of committing an offence. Even from the age of eight, minors are capable of committing a crime and may be tried in court, but it will also depend on the manner they will be tried.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the names of those arrested in connection with the murder. These are; Tonderai Musasa (18), Richwell Tshuma (26), Bornlight Mukute (20), Paul Demo (27), Taurai Munetsi (31) and the minor aged 14.
Earlier, police had arrested Munyaradzi Chari (43), Lyton Panashe Tshuma (18) and Obvious Mawire (21), bringing the total number to nine.