SIX police officers, who arrested a suspected tout and allegedly subjected him to torture while at the Bulawayo Central Police Station are in trouble, as they have been dragged to court to answer charges of assault.
BY SILAS NKALA
Prichard Moyo, Fortune Phiri, Jonathan Musonga, Stafford Ncube, Collen Sibanda and Melody Ncube denied the charge when they appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sibongile Ncube last week.
The magistrate remanded them out of custody to March 30 for continuation of trial.
It is the State’s case that six police officers allegedly tortured Malvin Ncube of Pumula South on May 18 last year, after they arrested him for alleged touting for passengers.
It is alleged that on May 18, 2016, at 10:30am Ncube was arrested at Egodini bus terminus for touting by Moyo and Phiri. The police officers were in the company of Melody Ncube and other three uniformed police officers.
It is alleged that they hand cuffed him and escorted him to Bulawayo Central Police Station.
On arrival at the police station, Ncube was led to the Crime Prevention Unit office by Moyo and Phiri.
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The two allegedly assaulted Ncube several times on the face with hands.
Moyo allegedly pulled his shirt up before assaulting him several times on the back with open hands and fists.
Moyo and Phiri took an iron rod, which they put in-between his elbows and below the knees, while he was still handcuffed.
The two allegedly took turns to assault him with a sjambok on the back and buttocks several times.
Phiri allegedly held him by his legs, while Moyo was assaulting him with a sjambok on the backside. Ncube cried for help and Musonga allegedly took a T-shirt and stuffed it into his mouth.
Moyo and Phiri allegedly changed the rod and put a broom stick in between his elbows and below his knees while he was still handcuffed. They allegedly further assaulted him with a sjambok on the back and buttocks. Melody allegedly stepped on Ncube’s stomach, while he was lying down and assaulted him with open hands on the face.
The other officers also got into the act, kicking and slapping the suspect, who was detained until he deposited a fine of $10 at 5pm when he was released. He went to report the torture at Pumula Police Station before he was taken to Mpilo Hospital for treatment the next day. Ncube identified the officers at a unit’s parade, leading to their arrest.
Moyo and Phiri admitted to arresting Ncube, but claimed he was driven by malice in his accusations. Zimbabwe is yet to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
