Police officer shoots Mutare man while enforcing lockdown regulations

Source: Police officer shoots Mutare man while enforcing lockdown regulations – ZimGazette

A Mutare man was reportedly shot at Legends Bar in Chikanga by a police officer trying to enforce lockdown regulations.

It is alleged that the man was shot and injured on the hip when the bullet penetrated a vehicle he was seated in and severely damaged his hip bone.

The accused, police constable Matthew Tichivanhu who is attached to the Support Unit Changadzi Sierra Troop is facing attempted murder charges.

Initially, Godfrey Mafukashe (37) of Chikanga 2 had been hauled before a provincial magistrate on charges of defeating the course of justice after the police had alleged that he had been shot while attacking cops who were enforcing Covid-19 lockdown regulations. However, the case has taken a new twist.

Mafukashe, who is out on bail, has since filed an attempted murder charge against Constable Tichivanhu for shooting him as he was seated in his friend’s car.

Mafukashe is arguing that he had nothing to do with the fracas that happened at the bar as he was seated in the vehicle when police raided the pub and arrested 27 patrons.

Through his lawyers, Mafukashe told the Officer Commanding Mutare District Police, Chief Superintendent Mutadza, that his arrest was wrong as he was in fact the victim.

An attempted murder charge was subsequently opened at Chikanga Police Station under CR115/05/21 and the docket has since been referred to CID Mutare for further investigations.

In his complaint letter to Chief Superintendent Mutadza, Mafukashe said he was a victim of a police shooting.

The incident happened on May 29 at around 9:30pm The Manica Post reports.