State Media|SOME municipal police officers allegedly assaulted and seriously injured three residents in Marimba recently, while on an assignment to demolish illegal structures.

The illegal structures belonged to beneficiaries of a housing consortium known as “New Marimba Housing Consortium”, which includes Mukonono, Nyakasikana, Dzimba Kuvadiki and Dunamis.

The municipal police officers reportedly assaulted Clever Chimbango, Takura Takura and Moses Gwanzura who sought to know whether they had a court order authorising them to demolish the structures.

This reportedly did not go down well with the officers who started beating them up.

The assault was reported at Marimba Police Station under RRB 4399066.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed receiving the report and said investigations were already underway.

“We have received the report against municipal police officers who allegedly assaulted and injured some residents in Marimba last week. We are on the issue and as we speak, investigations are underway,” he said.

City of Harare corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said council was waiting for police to complete their investigations.

“We await ZRP investigations. Commenting will jeopardise investigations,” he said.

When The Herald visited Marimba, the injured residents, opened up on their ordeal.

“They arrived here in three lorries and demolished 12 structures deemed illegal. I asked them if they had the court order authorising them to demolish” said Chimbango.

“They beat me up accusing me of being the leader of a rebel group. My neighbour Takura came and unsuccessfully pleaded with them to stop beating me. He also received a beating before they bundled him into the back of one of their trucks.

“Another resident, Moses Gwanzura, tried to intervene but he, too, was hit on the head resulting in serious injuries,” he said.

Gwanzura had to be rushed to a private hospital where he received stitches.

“After I saw my colleague being beaten up, I tried to intervene pleading with the municipal police to stop the assault, but I was again assaulted,” he said.

Chairperson of the consortium Mr Tsaurai Marima confirmed the incident.

“Yes, our residents here were severely assaulted. I failed to understand the conduct of the municipal police. They just turned violent.

“We hope the police will do their job and arrest the perpetrators,” he said.