by TARISAI MACHAKAIRE
HARARE – Police yesterday brought to court 39 commuter omnibus drivers, touts and members of the public who pounced on Harare municipal cops during an operation that was staged in the city last Sunday.
The 39 include Tinashe Chimbidzai,19, Tobias Tawengwa, 20, Enock Rutanhira, 26, Amos Nyamayaro,18, Innocent Mavhuto,19, Bothwell Nyamajiva, 27, Kudakwashe Nyamutswa, 25, Pride Kanganda, 22, Ali Ruwizhi,30 and Bothwell Nkomo, 24.
They appeared before Harare magistrate Elijah Makomo charged with public violence.
Prosecutor Idah Maromo opposed bail on the basis that some of the municipal cops who were attacked are battling for their lives at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
Maromo further argued that the accused persons had been positively identified by their victims at the scene.
The court heard that on January 3 this year, Harare municipal police officers were enforcing traffic by-laws under an operation code-named Scorpion.
The operation was meant to clear illegal passenger pick-up points popularly known as mushika-shika at corner Julius Nyerere Way and Robson Manyika.
The officers were using a Harare City Council motor vehicle when they were dropped at the intersection.
During the operation, the accused persons demonstrated against the operation and started attacking municipal cops using stones, cardboard boxes and metal objects.
Some of the cops, including Welling Shinga and Benny Rukwava, sustained injuries and sought medical attention at Parirenyatwa Hospital where some of them are still detained.
The accused persons were arrested at the scene after being identified by various witnesses.-Dailynews
