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Battered Mukoyi freed as Magistrate orders investigations into assault
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
April 13, 2011

Mbare Magistrate Brighton Pabwe on Wednesday 13 April 2011 freed Shakespeare Mukoyi, one of the congregants, who was arrested on Saturday 9 April 2011, when police suppressed a church service in Glen Norah suburb of Harare.

Magistrate Pabwe granted free bail to Mukoyi, who was visibly in pain when he appeared in court, charged with assault as defined in Section 89 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23

Prosecutor Sidom Chinzete alleged that Mukoyi assaulted Emmanuel Jeketera, a police officer with clenched fists and booted feet all over his body at Chitubu Shopping Center in Glen Norah suburb on Saturday 9 April 2011. Chinzete alleges that Jeketera suffered a swollen lower lip and lacerations on the lower lip as a result of the assault.

Magistrate Pabwe also advised Mukoyi that his trial will commence on 18 May.

Magistrate Pabwe ordered the State to investigate several complaints which were levelled against the police by Mukoyi's lawyers Marufu Mandevere and Gift Mtisi.

The lawyers told Magistrate Pabwe that the police, who arrested Mukoyi, locked him up in the Church of Nazarene after they had chased away congregants before blowing tear gas in the church.

The lawyers said the police assaulted Mukoyi all over his body with truncheons and clenched fists.

As a result of the assault, Mukoyi, whose clothes had blood stains and wore a cervical collar (neck brace) while in court sustained head injuries, swollen body, burst blood vessels.

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