By Evans Dakwa and Takudziridzwa Nyama
A group of police officers have come together to raise funds for an appeal against the jailing of one of their own, Constable Praymore Manyange who was convicted for murder by the Gweru High Court Circuit sitting under Justice Naison Chivayo.
Constable Manyange stationed was slapped with a 20 year jail term for the murder of Bhekani Moyo of Silobela and his colleagues in the force feel the sentence is too heavy and unfair for an officer who mistakenly killed a violent criminal wanted in connection with assault and robbery.
Thus, they have made it a point to rally on their own and raise about 9000 dollars to launch an appeal for Manyange whom they claim acted in self defense against the charging and armed Moyo.
To fulfill their self-given mandate, the officers have thus far formed social media groups with 2 of them already full as members contribute whatever they have.
Some of the Police Officers have claimed a bias and unjust treatment for one of their own who was trying to do his job and protect himself.
The General sentiment in the groups are that the Police Officers do put their lives on the line but are not protected when push comes to shove.
“As law enforcers we also have our human rights, we are tired of being treated like slaves, being used for nothing, let’s fight guys and even engage human rights lawyers,” said one Police Officer as he rallied his colleagues towards the cause.
Another one took a swipe at the judge saying, “the Judge was recently appointed recently and wanted to prove he is competed for the job on our colleague.”
What seems to be hurting the officers most is that Justice Naison Chivayo has been a police officer himself as far back as 1994 until his recent appointment to the bench thus he understands the challenges face in their line of duty.
According to a police memo in our possession, circumstances that led to the imprisonment of Manyange are that he received information to the effect that Bhekani Moyo who was wanted for Assault Silobela CR 38/02/20 and Robbery Silobela CR 39/02/20 was at his residence.
On the same date around 0430 hours, Manyange booked an FN rifle Serial Number 3000 with a magazine of 10 rounds and proceeded to Bhekani Moyo’s homestead in the company of Police Constables Pious Musindo NR 58-026707-G-58 AND Tafirenyika Musekiwa NR 23-0188945-L-23.
Upon arrival at the homestead, Manyange instructed P/Cst Tafirenyika Musekiwa to guard the gate as he and P/Cst Pious Musindo proceeded towards the kitchen hut. At the kitchen, Manyange inquired about Bhekani Moyo’s whereabouts from Ngqabutho Moyo, NR 58-300884-A-58 who was sleeping by the kitchen door and he indicated that he knew nothing about his current whereabouts.
Manyange and P/Cst Pious Musindo then proceeded towards Bhekani Moyo’s bedroom where along the way, they met Moffat Moyo NR 58-146244-N-58 who is Bhekani Moyo’s father and he stated that he did not know where his son was.
They then proceeded to the deceased’s bedroom where P/Cst Pious Musindo remained guarding the bedroom door whilst the accused went to the back window of the bedroom. Manyange ordered the deceased to come out of the house and he came out wielding a knife and wrestled with P/Cst Pious Musindo who was at the bedroom door.
Manyange then came from behind Bhekani Moyo’s bedroom to try and rescue P/Cst Pious Musindo and that is when Bhekani Moyo advanced towards him wielding a homemade knife. The accused then fired one shot towards Bhekani Moyo and he was hit on the chest, fell to the ground and died on the spot.
Bhekani Moyo was ferried to Kwekwe District hospital where he was certified dead by Doctor Mwale.
On 16/03/20, the body was ferried to United Bulawayo Hospital for post mortem where a post mortem was carried by Doctor Juana Rodrigomez Grigori who confirmed that death was due to, acute anaemia, pulmonary, cardiac and hepatic laceration and gunshot.