THE trial of seven Shamva police officers, who allegedly killed a local resident accusing him of stealing $100 from a top cop’s wife, yesterday continued at the High Court with a survivor of the attack giving evidence before Justice Hlekani Mwayera.
REPORT BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Shepherd Hudye told the court that he was lucky to be alive claiming he miraculously survived the assault by the police.
Hudye said on March 17 last year at around 11pm, he was awakened by a violent knock on his door.
He said one of the officers suddenly struck him with a baton stick on the head before he was handcuffed.
He claimed the officers attacked him with baton sticks, clenched fists and booted feet.
Hudye added that he was then force-marched to a police vehicle where he saw the now deceased Luxmore Chivambo, who appeared helpless.
He said he heard the officer-in-charge Aspias Shumba enquiring from other officers on whether they had recovered his wife’s wallet and the answer was in the negative.
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At that moment, he said Shumba instructed his officers to severely assault both men.
They were later taken to the police station where the assault continued until the early hours of the following morning.
During cross-examination, the accused’s lawyers said the complainants were never assaulted by police details, but Hudye had simply cooked up the story because police had confiscated “his beer” from shebeens at the compound.
“If I had done anything illegal, I would not have resisted arrest. I am gainfully employed and as such, I would not risk my job.
“In fact, after realising that my friend had died, the officers concocted charges of operating illegal shebeens against us and fearing the worst, our relatives paid admission of guilt fines,” Hudye said.
All the accused are out of custody on $50 bail.
The trial continues tomorrow.
