A MEMBER of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is in soup after he allegedly ganged up with two villagers to attack a policeman in a dispute over a snooker game in Lupane, Matabeleland North province.
The matter came to light when Decent Dube (31) of Tshongonkwe in Jotsholo, who is stationed at the ZNA artillery regiment in Cranborne, Harare, was arraigned before Lupane resident magistrate Barbra Phiri.
Dube appeared in court with alleged accomplices Future Ncube (21) and Nqobile Ngwabi, both of Jotsholo, Lupane on Tuesday seeking bail.
The trio was released on ZWG300 bail each and ordered to reside at their given addresses until their case is finalised.
They were also ordered not to interfere with witnesses and to report once every Friday between 6am and 6pm at Jotsholo Police Station.
They are expected back in court on Monday.
Prosecutor Clive Gumbo told the court that the complainant is Boutros Boutros Madzivanzira, a policeman based at Jotsholo Staff Quarters.
It was the State case that on Sunday, Madzivanzira was playing snooker with one Mawere, a local, who works at the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority Farm’s Golide Sports Bar.
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The three accused persons were waiting for their turn.
Madzivanzira and Mawere finished their game and placed a token before Ncube challenged the latter and won the game.
The game for the second token was played among the three accused persons.
The court heard that after the three accused persons had finished their game, Madzivanzira put a token in the snooker, but one Zwelibanzi took two balls and Madzivanzira demanded them back.
Ngwabi, who was in the bar, reportedly accused Madzivanzira and Mawere of delaying to play their game.
Ngwabi allegedly grabbed Madzivanzira by the throat and Ncube hit him with a cue stick on the left side of the shoulder.
Madzivanzira phoned Jotsholo Police Station seeking assistance.
Two police details arrived and Madzivanzira reportedly tried to handcuff Ncube and Dube allegedly intervened.
He allegedly identified himself as a captain in the army, a rank above the officer-in-charge at Jotsholo Police Station.
The State further alleged that Dube struck Madzivanzira with handcuffs.
The court heard that Madzivanzira was taken to St Luke’s Hospital for medical treatment and a police report was made leading to the arrest of the three.
