A police officer from Mkoba, Gweru in Zimbabwe has been charged with murder after fatally shooting a man named Bongani Ndlovu who intended to free his detained friend. The incident occurred on Boxing Day when the officer, identified as 19-year-old Kudakwashe Gurajena, and his colleagues were on patrol. They encountered a rowdy group attempting to free a friend who had been arrested for disorderly conduct, <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/man-shot-dead-during-confrontation-with-armed-cops-police-memo/">ZimLive</a> reported citing a police memo.
According to the memo, Ndlovu aggressively confronted the officer and his colleagues, throwing stones and demanding the release of his friend. Ndlovu allegedly snatched handcuffs and keys from an officer, threatening to stab him with an Okapi knife.
Reinforcement was called, but Ndlovu managed to escape. However, he returned to the police station later armed with the same knife, persisting in his violent attempt to free his friend. The officers surrounded Ndlovu and instructed him to surrender.
Ignoring their commands, Ndlovu charged towards two officers. One of them tripped and dropped his rifle. Gurajena, in response to the imminent threat, picked up the firearm and fired, fatally shooting Ndlovu in the neck. Read the memo in part:
<blockquote>
While the accused and his team were escorting Tafadzwa Ndlela and other accused persons to the police station, the now deceased started throwing stones at the police officers ordering them to release his friends.
The stones hit P/Cst Musazulwa on the right lower leg and P/Cst Masango on the right hip. They sustained a swollen leg and a swollen hip respectively.
The now deceased who was armed with an okapi knife snatched handcuffs and keys from P/Cst Masango threatening to stab him.
Police called for reinforcement from Mkoba police station, when it arrived Bongani Ndhlovu ran away and the police officers failed to apprehend him. A report of Assault was made at ZRP Mkoba RRB 5816501 refers.
</blockquote>
Bongani Ndlovu continued his violent attempt to free his friend at Mkoba police station. He arrived at the station and shouted, demanding the release of his friend while threatening to harm one of the police officers with a knife he was holding.
The police officers, including Sergeant Ncube, Sergeant Mushai, Constable Motsi, Constable Shava, Constable Svova, Constable Mafios, Police Constable Gurajena, Police Constable Gobvu, and Police Constable Musazulwa, were instructed to surround Ndlovu and arrest him.
Sergeant Ncube was armed with an F/N rifle with five rounds, and Constable Shava had a Mosberg rifle with one round. When Ndlovu saw the officers approaching, he started running, and the police pursued him.
At a location near Bata dam, Sergeant Mushai fired three warning shots in the air, urging Ndlovu to surrender and lie down. However, Ndlovu ignored the instructions, charging towards Constable Shava and Police Constable Gurajena with the knife in his hand.
Constable Shava tripped and fell, dropping his rifle. Ndlovu continued to approach them, threatening to harm one of the officers. Gurajena quickly picked up the fallen rifle and fired a single shot at Ndlovu, hitting him in the neck. Ndlovu died instantly.
The scene was attended by officers from ZRP Mkoba, C.I.D Mkoba, and C.I.D Scenes of Crime Gweru. Ndlovu’s body was found lying on its back, facing west, with bloodstains on his white sweater. An Okapi knife was found near his left hand.
The body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where a doctor certified Ndlovu’s death. It was then transferred to the mortuary for a postmortem examination.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Man Shot Dead After Attempting To Free Detained Friend

Six Zimbabwean nationals were killed on Boxing Day when a vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a road accident in the Musina area in South Africa.
Zimbabwe’s Consul General to Johannesburg, Melody Chaurura, confirmed the incident on Monday night, which occurred a few kilometres south of Musina town. She said:
<blockquote>
Yet another dark day for the nation. The Consulate has since confirmed, via the South African Police Services that six Zimbabwe nationals perished this morning in a car accident that occurred around 06 am along N1 Highway, near Dorothy Farm.
The issue is being handled by Musina Police Station. According to details at hand, a truck with registration number FN66GP was driving from Musina heading towards Beitbridge, when a white colt with registration number NSZ778GP driving towards Musina collided head-on with the truck.
</blockquote>
Chaurura said the deceased are two females aged 15 and 36 and four males aged 10, three, and three months plus a male driver whose age was not revealed.
Their identities are being withheld as their next of kin are yet to be advised.
Chaurura added that the Consulate has sent a team to assist with the identification and repatriation of the deceased’s remains. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/6-more-zimbabweans-perish-in-sa-christmas-holiday-accident/">Chronicle</a>

Six Zimbabweans Killed In South Africa Boxing Day Accident

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Republic_Police" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)</a> says 6 people were killed and 35 injured in road accidents on Boxing Day.
Last year, 102 accidents were recorded resulting in 8 people being killed on Boxing Day.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Paul_Nyathi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Paul Nyathi</a> said:
<blockquote>The major cause of the accidents was speeding, reversing errors, following too closely and inattention.
They should ensure that their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on journeys.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, a police blitzkrieg has netted 117 touts while 129 vehicles were impounded, with 724 tickets being issues on Boxing Day for a variety of offences.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/accidents-claim-6-on-boxing-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

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