Police Officer Jailed After Beating Teacher During Investigation
A police officer has been jailed after assaulting a schoolteacher during an investigation in Chiredzi. The officer, Owen Manjengwa, was convicted of assault after he beat the man with open hands and a baton stick.
“The offender… assaulted him with open hands on the face and with a button stick on the buttocks, resulting in internal injuries,” said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) in a bulletin dated 8 May 2025.
Investigation turns violent
The incident happened on 21 February 2024 at around 3PM at Mhlanguledzi Primary School in Chikombedzi.
Manjengwa, a police officer stationed at Chikombedzi Police Station, approached a teacher who worked at the school. He was investigating a case of unlawful entry that had occurred the day before.
The NPAZ said:
“The offender… informed the victim that he was under arrest. The complainant denied the allegations, and the offender then assaulted him.”
The teacher sustained internal injuries after being beaten on the buttocks with a button stick.
Conviction and sentence
The Chikombedzi Magistrates’ Court found Manjengwa (40) guilty of assault. He was fined US$200. If he fails to pay, he faces 90 days in prison.
In addition, the magistrate handed him a four-month prison term, wholly suspended for five years. This means he will not serve the sentence if he avoids similar offences during that time.
The NPAZ used the conviction to urge the public to resolve disputes peacefully.
“The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe encourages members of the public to desist from violence and resolve their disputes amicably or seek third party mediation,” the authority said.
Public trust in police questioned
Manjengwa’s conviction comes at a time when public trust in the Zimbabwe Republic Police remains low. According to a 2023 Afrobarometer survey:
“Only 36% of Zimbabweans say they trust the police ‘a lot’ or ‘somewhat’, while a majority (61%) believe that most or all police officers are involved in corruption.”
The survey also noted that a large number of people felt the police acted unprofessionally or abused their power.
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