The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
A Chipinge disabled man on a wheelchair did the unthinkable when he stabbed an unsuspecting police officer thrice and killed him instantly as he resisted arrest for drinking an illicit beer brew at a local bottle store.
The suspect, Lloyd Mahovana Mabiti (33), of Muzondakaya village under Chief Musikavanhu last Saturday appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Farai Gwitima facing murder charges.
He was not asked to plead. The matter was remanded to June 28, 2019, for routine remand. The accused was also locked up in remand prison and advised to apply bail at the High Court as the lower court has no jurisdiction over the offence.
Mr Gift Bikita prosecuted. The court heard that on June 13, 2019, around 9pm, Mahovhana, who was on his wheelchair, was drinking illicit beer in a 5-litre container with his friends Panganai Dzvairo, Chionei Chinyama and Eric Murire.
“While drinking the illicit beer, Constable Nobody Kadeya (37), who was clad in police uniform, approached the four and advised them that they were under arrest.
“Constable Kadeya advised them that they should proceed to the police station, and this did not go well with Mahovhana, who refused to comply with lawful instructions. He refused to be pushed in his wheelchair by the now deceased police officer.
“The police officer had no option but to then forcibly push the accused in his wheelchair to his vehicle which was parked near the bottle.
“When they arrived at the police officer’s vehicle, and when he tried to open the door, an angry Mahovhana took advantage of his lapse in concentration to produce a knife from his pocket that he used to stab the police officer thrice on the chest, shoulder and mouth, killing him on the spot.
“The police died instantly, and his body was ferried to Chipinge General Hospital for a post mortem,” said Mr Bikita.
The suspect said he voluntarily gave self incriminating evidence when asked if he had been coerced into giving such information during police investigations.
“Your Worship, I was not forced to give police information when recording statements. Yes, I can confirm that I was the one who stabbed the police officer thrice after he had seized my traditional beer.
“I was given the knife by one of my colleagues after realising that we had been arrested,” said Mahovhana.
