THE case of six police officers charged with assaulting two women in Cowdray Park in Bulawayo was not heard yesterday after it was decided that further investigations should be carried out on the matter before the suspects are taken to court.

The six, arrested on Friday, were supposed to appear at the West Commonage Magistrate’s court for the alleged brutal assault of two siblings from Cowdray Park on 16 April.

The victims claimed police said they arrested them for violating the national lockdown regulations meant to combat the spread of the coronavirus by moving out of their home. The two had reportedly gone to buy food at a local supermarket before they were allegedly arrested by three officers that picked them out from a queue and cuffed their hands behind their backs.

They were then allegedly force-marched, in between severe beatings and tribally charged insults, through a bushy pathway leading to Cowdray Park Police Base.

At the police station, they alleged that they were further subjected to abuse by officers who took turns to assault them, leading to severe injuries.

The accused police officers are Simbarashe Bvekwa, Tichaona Zariro, Patson Gumoreyi, Elizabeth Denhere, Zibusiso Masuku and Christabel Munyondo.

The official in charge of Public Prosecutions at the West Commonage Magistrate’s Court, Mr Nyasha Katurura, confirmed that the six police officers would appear at a date to be advised, as there were contradictions between the victim’s accounts and the evidence brought before the court.

“The case has been referred for further investigation. The police are yet to hold an identification parade.

The victims had said two people assaulted them but six people were presented to us today. So, there is a need for further investigation,” he said.

The legal representative of the two women, Mr Nqobani Sithole of Ncube Attorneys, said they were worried about the manner in which investigations had been carried out.- State media