The ManicaPost
Kudzai Matanga Rusape Correspondent
A POLICE officer based at ZRP Rusape Rural Police Station who allegedly resisted arrest and strangled his superior following a work-related altercation, has finally been cowed and arraigned in court for assault.
The suspect Callisto Tarutsvanga (39), a constable at Rusape Rural, allegedly pushed his superior Inspector Washington Kazinge (45), out of the charge office and strangled his neck while pressing him against the fence.
Tarutsvanga, who is represented by Mr Leonard Chigadza, of Chigadza and Associates Legal Practitioners, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He, instead, accused Insp Kazinge of assaulting him and further abusing his authority by filing a false report against him.
He appeared before magistrate Ms Rufaro Mangwiro facing assault charges as defined in Section 89(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23
Miss Ivy Mayimbo prosecuted.
She told the court that Tarutsvanga refused to take over duty from one constable Maboreke citing the presence of one female inmate (Lydia Musipa) in the charge office.
She said constable Maboreke took the matter to the officer-in-charge.
“Kazinge called the accused to his office and inquired from him why he was refusing to take over duty. The accused replied by insulting and threatening to assault the complainant.
“The complainant followed the accused and informed him that he was under arrest for his conduct. Tarutsvanga refused to be arrested, and pushed Kazinge out of the charge office, and strangled him while pressing him against the fence.
“Kazinge was rescued by other police officers that were nearby, leading to Tarutsvanga’s arrest,” she said.
The trial was adjourned to August 27, 2019.
