Police in Harare last week arrested a gun totin, Simbarashe Mudewe for pointing a Beretta Gedore pistol at a police officer.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said Mudewe brandished the weapon at an officer who had arrested him for operating an unlicensed tuckshop at Dzivarasekwa Two Shops.
Meanwhile, a Harare man, Gilbert Dongodza (50) from Seke, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with one year suspended, after being convicted of attempting to murder a police officer.
He will serve an effective four-year term, the Harare Magistrates’ Court ruled.
The incident occurred on 23 December 2023 in Arcadia, Harare, when a 36-year-old police officer spotted Dongodza brandishing a knife.
According to court records, the offender threatened the officer and chased him while wielding an okapi knife.
The officer, joined by colleagues, pursued Dongodza to St Martins Bus Stop along Seke Road.
There, Dongodza charged at the officer again, throwing stones at other police personnel.
Despite warning shots being fired, he continued his attack, attempting to stab the officer’s hand, before knocking him to the ground and stabbing him below the right eye.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the sentence serves as a stern reminder that attacks on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated.
The authority urged the public to always cooperate with police and other officials tasked with enforcing the law.
