Soldier In Court For Assaulting Police Officer
Street fights pitting members of the Zimbabwe National Army and Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers have continued unabated with almost daily reports of such skirmishes in parts of the country.
A Chipinge-based soldier, Simbarashe Kanidza (21) of 33 Infantry Reserve Force last week appeared in court for allegedly assaulting a police officer who was performing his lawful duties.
The police officer, Leopold Makumbinde, was part of a team that was enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown in the town.
According to Chipinge Times editor Ellen Mlambo, the incident was one of the many street fights between soldiers and police officers reported in the last few weeks.
Kanidza appeared before magistrate Poterai Gwezhira on Monday.
Prosecutor Timothy Katsande alleged that on 6 February 2021, along Mandikisi Road at around 8 am, Makumbinde was with a team comprising Sergeant Dube and Constable Jack interviewing pedestrians and enforcing COVID-19 rules.
Makumbinde allegedly asked the accused to produce his COVID-19 exemption letter and he refused to do so.
The complainant told the accused that he was under arrest for violating COVID-19 regulations but Kanidza refused to be handcuffed, instead, he grabbed the complainant by the collar.
Kanidza allegedly used his elbow to further choke Makumbinde and went on to hit him once on the chest resulting in him falling on the ground.
The accused was only arrested after more police manpower was called. He was searched and found with a twist of marijuana.
