Rabble rouser incites mob into attacking cops at c...

Rabble rouser incites mob into attacking cops at city bar

Michael Mashiri

A Harare man convinced a mob that included vendors to attack two cops responding to a report of assault, forcing one officer to flee and the other to fire a warning shot into the air to save himself from a vicious beating.

Wellington Tawanda Mafuta, 39, of Westlea was at the Harare Magistrates' Court charged with obstructing the course of justice and assaulting a peace officer, violating Section 184(1) and Section 176 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9.23 concurrently.

The state alleges that on February 21, 2023 around 0100hrs, Sergeant Manjeya and Constable Mapuranga received a complaint of indecent assault from Lavinia Hickey.

The officers quickly attended the scene at what used to be Sports Diner, corner Samora Machel and 5th Street.

When the policemen tried to take the alleged perpetrator to the police station for due process, Mafuta mobilised vendors to join him in demanding the release of the arrested person.

Mafuta and some vendors who are still at large then attacked the cops with open hands and stones. The suspect took advantage of the chaos and fled from the scene whilst in handcuffs.

Constable Mapuranga managed to escape from the mob.

Mafuta attacked sergeant Manjeya with a stone at his back and tried to forcibly disarm the policeman of his service rifle, but failed.

The mob dispersed after sergeant Manjeya fired a warning shot in the air.

Constable Mapuranga meanwhile has summoned reinforcements, leading to Mafuta's arrest

No visible injuries were sustained.

Mafuta appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi who ordered him to appear in court on March 9 for bail application.