Harare – Four officers from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) have been brought before the courts, facing murder charges following the death of a man they allegedly assaulted at the New Government Complex in Harare. The incident has raised serious questions about the conduct of security personnel and the use of force.
Nqobile Dube, Gladman Faith Makoni, Godfrey Damu, and Munashe Arkins Zvavambire appeared before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova yesterday. The quartet, who were stationed at the complex on guard duties, were remanded in custody until Monday, at which point their bail applications will be considered.
The court heard that the tragic events unfolded on March 6th, between 6 pm and 7 pm, at the New Government Complex, located at the corner of Central Avenue and Simon Muzenda Street in Harare. The deceased, identified as Kandemiiri Jeffreys, had visited the complex with the intention of meeting his uncle, Kandemiiri Malvern, who is employed there.
According to the State’s case, upon arrival, Jeffreys was accosted and chased away by ZPCS officers providing security at the complex. As he was descending the stairs, he encountered the four accused on the second floor, which allegedly led to an altercation.
What followed, the prosecution alleges, was a brutal assault. Dube is accused of repeatedly kicking Jeffreys in the stomach, while Makoni, Damu, and Zvavambire allegedly struck him with fists all over his body.
The situation reportedly escalated further when the four guards allegedly took Jeffreys to the basement of the complex, where the assault continued. In the basement, Dube is accused of kicking the deceased in the stomach again and stepping on him with force while he was lying on the ground. Damu allegedly used a broom to beat Jeffreys on both legs, causing him to roll on the ground in agony.
The alleged assault was eventually brought to an end by the intervention of other ZPCS officers, who are now witnesses in the case. Jeffreys was then ordered to leave the premises.
After leaving the complex, Jeffreys proceeded to the Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus, where he collapsed and lost consciousness. He was assisted by well-wishers, who took him to his home in Mabvuku, where he complained of severe internal injuries.
Concerned for his well-being, Jeffreys’ mother took him to a local clinic in Mabvuku. He was subsequently referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital, where he was admitted for seven days. Tragically, despite medical intervention, Jeffreys succumbed to his injuries and passed away on March 14th.
Following his death, a forensic post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the cause. The report revealed that Jeffreys’ death was a result of blunt trauma, leading to a severe abdominal infection directly linked to the injuries sustained during the alleged assault.
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