TWO Chiredzi-based policemen have appeared at the High Court for allegedly beating a villager to death in a retributive attack over a previous fistfight.
TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT
Brian Magama and Isaac Kachena, who were members of the police Support Unit, appeared before judge Justice Susan Mavhangira on Friday facing a murder charge for fatally assaulting Luckson Muringani at Chibwedziva Police base in April 2010.
Prosecutor Elison Chabarika told the court that Muringani and Magama had a misunderstanding which culminated in a fistfight in which the cop was beaten.
The following day, the two policemen found Muringani drinking beer with a friend at Chibwedziva business centre at around 8pm and they allegedly dragged him by the waistband from the bottle store to the police base accusing him of bragging about beating a cop.
They assaulted him all over the body with sticks and allowed him to sleep at the base as he could not walk after the beatings.
The deceased walked home in the morning and was taken to Chibweadziva Clinic after complaining of being unwell.
The clinic referred him to Chiredzi General Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
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However, his condition deteriorated and he was rushed back to hospital but died upon admission.
His autopsy revealed that he had sustained a crushed frontal skull which exposed his brain.
In their defence, Magama and Kachena, being represented by Rodney Saratoga Makausi of Saratoga Makausi law firm, are denying the charge saying the deceased was assaulted by members of the public when he tried to flee after assaulting Magama.
They submitted that they apprehended Muringani the following day for assaulting Magama and resisting arrest.
The cops also allege that Muringani tried to flee, but tripped on some stones in the police yard and fell to the ground, injuring his head.
They allege that they released him the following day and told him to return after getting medical attention.
Their trial is set to continue at the next High Court circuit in Chiredzi.
