A male police officer assigned to Masvingo Teachers College
quarantine centre allegedly punched a female inmate and bit her finger after a
misunderstanding over Covid-19 test results.
The incident happened on Saturday, May 30, after inmates
had complained over prolonged delays in the release of their results.
Masvingo provincial police acting spokesperson Assistant
Inspector Kundakwashe Dhewa said he had not received a complaint of that nature
but promised to investigate.
The woman, who cannot be named now to protect her identity
as she eventually tested positive and got isolated, sustained a severe injury
on her right hand little finger but was not afforded any medical
treatment. The police officer was
identified only as S. Mashonganyika.
The woman, refused to talk about the incident when she was
contacted for comment saying she feared further victimisation.
Eyewitnesses, however, said the woman was left shaken and
afraid after the assault.
“There was so much tension on that day and authorities were
not providing the information that people sought. Some people who had spent
only eight days at the centre were released ahead of those that had spent more
than 21 days and nobody bothered to explain so the woman got caught up in the
scuffle. The officer punched her on the face and bit her finger only to release
her after other inmates restrained him,” said a source.
Another source said there was nobody to report the incident
to since police officers, nurses and social workers in charge of the facility
were ‘rude and uncaring’. TellZim News
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