A CHIREDZI man was shot and later died after attempting to
disarm a police officer who was arresting armed robbery suspects on Wednesday
afternoon.
The deceased was allegedly leading a mob that threatened to
attack police officers, demanding that they release two of their friends who
had been arrested in connection with a case where a businessperson was robbed
of $6 000.
National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi confirmed the incident yesterday.
“I can confirm that we are dealing with a case where a man
died after attempting to disarm a police officer during arrests in a case of
armed robbery.
As police we condemn unruly behaviour by members of the
public who are in the habit of disarming police officers and stopping them from
their constitutional mandate as in the case of the 7th of August when police
picked two suspects taking them to a station for questioning in relation to an
armed robbery case where a business person was robbed of $6 000 in Chiredzi,”
said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.
He said the two suspects that had been arrested, Obert
Madenhe and Rophias Matsaure whose addresses and ages are yet to be verified,
are in custody and assisting police with investigations.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said police could not
immediately release the name of the deceased as his next of kin were yet to be
advised of the death.
He described the development as unfortunate.
“This is a very unfortunate incident. However, we condemn
all acts that put the lives of police officers on duty in danger. We urge
members of the public to cooperate with police. While police officers were
carrying out their duties, they were approached by a mob which demanded that
the two men who had been arrested be freed.
One member of the mob grabbed a pistol from a police
officer and they started fighting over it and during the scuffle it discharged,
injuring him. He died on admission at Masvingo Provincial Hospital,” said
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.
He urged members of the public to follow proper channels of
communication if they wished to lay any complaints on the conduct of police
officers.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said members of the public
must not interfere with police officers when they are carrying out their
duties.
“If people are not happy, there are proper channels to be
followed when handling a matter or if people have complaints,” said the police
spokesperson. Chronicle
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