BIKITA South legislator Jeppy Jaboon on Wednesday allegedly “ordered” police to bash a fan at the Harare International Carnival Samba Night gig at a private club after accusing him of trying to steal his mobile phone.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE / WINSTONE ANTONIO NewsDay witnessed the unidentified fan being thoroughly beaten with bare hands and kicked leaving him with blood oozing from his neck. He had to be whisked away in a taxi by four security guards who were operating outside the venue.
Before being saved from the marauding police officers and some members of the public who had joined the melee, the fan was made to lie down on the floor under the watchful eyes of the cops.
Jaboon yesterday alleged that the fan had stolen his mobile phone and a wallet belonging to another patron and all the items were recovered instantly.
“I did not order the police to beat anyone, all I did was to recover my phone which this thief had stolen,” he said.
The brutal attack occurred in full view of NewsDay and received wide condemnation from some of the fans who attended the show.
“This is bad. If you are claiming that he is a thief why can’t you handcuff him and take him to Central [Harare Central Police Station] than what you are doing? Is this how police officers should conduct their duty?” fumed another fan.
“Asi ndozvamakaudzwa navaMugabe naChihuri kuti munorova vanhu kunge mombe kudaro? Tarisai makuvadza munhu, muchamuendesa kuchipatara here? (Is that what [President Robert] Mugabe and [Police Commissioner-General Augustine] Chihuri told you that you can beat people like cows? Look you have injured this guy, are you going to take him to hospital?” queried one of the patrons.
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Harare police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Simon Chazovachii said he was unaware of the incident.
“I am yet to be briefed on that . . . if I had any information I was going to help you,” he said.
The Zanu PF MP was among a host of legislators across the political divide who attended the carnival Samba Night where visiting Brazilian samba queens showcased their bikini dances and the cultural diversity of the South American nation.
Other legislators who attended the Samba Night include Mhondoro-Ngezi MP Mike Gava, Mazowe West legislator Kazembe Kazembe (both Zanu PF), Musikavanhu MP Prosper Mutseyami and Binga North legislator Prince Sibanda (both MDC-T) among others.
