By Staff Reporter
A 50-year-old man from Seke, Gilbert Dongodza, has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Harare Magistrates’ Court after being convicted of attempting to murder a police officer.
Dongodza was handed a five-year jail term, with one year suspended for five years, leaving him to serve an effective four years behind bars.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident occurred on December 23, 2023, in Arcadia, Harare. A 36-year-old police officer confronted Dongodza after spotting him brandishing an okapi knife. The offender threatened to stab the officer and gave chase while wielding the weapon.
The victim later teamed up with other officers and pursued Dongodza to St Martins Bus Stop along Seke Road. Upon seeing the group of police officers, Dongodza charged at them, throwing stones before attempting to stab the initial victim. He missed the officer’s hand but managed to knock him to the ground and stabbed him below the right eye.
Despite warning shots fired by police, Dongodza continued his violent attack before he was eventually subdued and arrested.
NPAZ said the sentence serves as a stern reminder that attacks on law enforcement agents will not be tolerated.
“The sentence serves as a reminder that the law will not take lightly attacks on law enforcement agents. The NPAZ urges the public to always cooperate with persons mandated to enforce the law,” the authority stated.