Harare – A Harare regional magistrate, Clever Tsikwa, has fined Sydney Rande US$300 for his involvement in the assault of Detective Superintendent Alexander Jachi, the head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide Section in Harare. The incident, which occurred on 30 September 2023, also involved the theft of Det Supt Jachi’s service pistol and US$140.
Rande was convicted of assault in connection with the incident. However, three other suspects who were also apprehended in connection with the case, Munyaradzi Chatonzwa, Mark Tatenda Chingombe, and Simbarashe Steven Ota, were acquitted of all charges.
Tsikwa initially sentenced Rande to 12 months in jail, but suspended the sentence on the condition that he pays a US$300 fine.
The court heard that on the day of the incident, Det Supt Jachi was driving his gold Toyota Fortuner from Highfield, a high-density suburb in Harare, to Chitungwiza, another large residential area located south of the capital. During his journey, he noticed a silver VW Polo and a red Honda Fit were following him.
As he approached Mbuya Dorcas Hospital, a major medical facility in Harare, the red vehicle allegedly blocked his path. In response, Det Supt Jachi diverted his vehicle and headed towards Jongwe Corner, an area known for its bustling commercial activity, in search of safety.
Upon parking his vehicle, Rande and Chatonzwa reportedly approached him in a threatening manner. In an attempt to defend himself, Det Supt Jachi disembarked from his vehicle and fired a warning shot into the air using his 9mm Taurus service pistol. The aim was to scare Chatonzwa away, but he continued advancing towards the officer.
Det Supt Jachi then shot Chatonzwa once in the left leg. However, even after being shot, Chatonzwa did not retreat. Instead, he allegedly struck the top cop with an unknown object, causing him to fall to the ground.
The court heard how Chatonzwa and his accomplices then assaulted Jachi until he lost consciousness.
The rest of the group then joined in the attack, beating Det Supt Jachi until he lost consciousness. Onlookers who attempted to intervene and assist Jachi were also reportedly attacked by the alleged robbers.
During the assault, the attackers stole Det Supt Jachi’s wallet, which contained US$140, his identity cards, and his service pistol. They also deflated the tyres of his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Some of Det Supt Jachi’s belongings were later recovered from Chatonzwa. However, the stolen service pistol remains missing, raising concerns about its potential use in future crimes.
The case has highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in Zimbabwe, who are often targeted by criminals. The fact that the head of the CID Homicide Section was himself a victim of such an attack underscores the pervasive nature of crime in the country.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities still searching for the stolen service pistol and seeking to determine the full extent of the group’s criminal activities. The acquittal of three of the suspects has also raised questions, with some members of the public expressing concern that justice may not have been fully served.
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