…Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights takes up case
Moses Ziyambi
CHIREDZI – A 32-year-old Chiredzi man has been charged for undermining the authority of the police after he was arrested for allegedly shouting abusive words at two uniformed police officers who were depositing government money at the local CBZ branch.
The incident happened on August 1 this year when Zephania Virimai allegedly verbally abused Lazarus Nyahonzo and Slyna Nyamaropa, who are both members of the Zimababwe Republic Police (ZRP) in the bank.
Virimai, who is represented by Blessing Nyamaropa of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), has already made his initial appearance before magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga and will return to court on October 11.
According to the State outline, the two officers entered the CBZ branch at around 11:20 hrs intending to lodge cash into the bank when Virimai, whose given address is ‘Near Magwaza Road, Tshovani, Chiredzi’, shouted ‘mbavha idzo ngadzibvepo’ literally translated to ‘thieves move away from there.’
And upon realising that the officers were not moved, the accused went on to say ‘zvimapurisa zvinobhenga mari yecorruption ‘rogue police officers who bank corruption money’.
The State argues that Virimai’s statements were prejudicial to the police force and that his actions created ‘a real risk or possibility of engendering feelings or hostility towards such police officer(s) or the police force or exposing such officers of the police force to contempt, ridicule or disesteem’.local
