MAN CHARGED WITH INSULTING COPS

A Chiredzi man has been charged with verbally insulting police officers, after shouting in a banking hall that they were depositing cash earned through corrupt means.

Zephania Virimai, 32, who resides in Tshovani high-density suburb in Chiredzi, was arrested on August 1, in the south eastern town.

Virimai’s trial commenced last Thursday before Chiredzi magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga. He pleaded not guilty to the charges of undermining police authority. He returns to court on October 4, for continuation of his trial.

Prosecutors claimed that Virimai, who is represented by Blessing Nyamaropa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, undermined police authority after he allegedly insulted officers Lazarus Nyahonzo and Slyna Nyamaropa, who were depositing some cash collected by the ZRP in its policing operations.

Nyahonzo and Nyamaropa reportedly entered the banking hall of a commercial bank intending to deposit money into the bank.

Upon entering the bank, the ZRP officers were instructed by Kazamula Mudhungazi, a security officer at to proceed to till number 2 to deposit the cash.

As the ZRP officers retrieved cash from a bag, Virimai allegedly shouted: “Mbavha idzo ngadzibvepo”, which prosecutors translated to mean “Thieves move away from there”.

After realising that Nyahonzo and Nyamaropa were unmoved by the alleged insult, Virimai reportedly intensified the verbal attacks by saying: “Zvimapurisa zvinobhenga mari yecorruption”, which prosecutors translated to mean “Rogue police officers who bank corruption money.”

Prosecutors charged that Virimai’s conduct risked engendering feelings of hostility towards such police officers or the police force or exposing the ZRP officers to contempt, ridicule or low esteem. Daily News

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