Bulawayo Father Of Two Dies After Alleged Police Beating
A Zimbabwe Republic Police officer has been sentenced to an effective three years in prison after a Bulawayo father of two died following a brutal assault that allegedly happened during a police roadblock operation.
Constable Nosonzi Sinyolo, 33, was convicted by Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Themba Chimiso at Tradegold Magistrates Court over the assault of Bakhile Nkomo, a man whose death later sparked outrage and renewed debate over alleged police brutality in Zimbabwe.
According to court proceedings, the incident took place on 1 September 2025 near the Nyamandlovu Turn-Off along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road after police stopped a Honda Fit at a roadblock.
Magistrate Condemns Police Brutality
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Chimiso criticised abuse of authority by law enforcement officers.
“You held a position of authority and responsibility as a police officer. You had a duty to protect civilians and not to brutalise the victim,” said Chimiso.
“No one is above the law, and justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”
The magistrate said Nkomo suffered life-threatening injuries after allegedly being repeatedly kicked in the stomach.
State prosecutors told the court that Sinyolo allegedly dragged Nkomo from the vehicle before assaulting him again inside a police vehicle while taking him to Sauerstown Police Station.
Family Sold Property To Pay Medical Bills
Nkomo was reportedly rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital after he allegedly started vomiting blood while in custody. Although he later testified in court, relatives said his health deteriorated, and he was later taken to South Africa for further treatment.
According to veteran journalist Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, the family sold household belongings, including a fridge and television, to cover mounting medical costs. Relatives said they owe more than US$5,000 (about R90,000) to Mpilo Central Hospital, excluding medical expenses incurred in South Africa.
The matter remained an assault case because no postmortem report was conducted after Nkomo’s death.
Four Officers Acquitted
Four other officers who had initially been charged alongside Sinyolo were later acquitted after witnesses reportedly identified Sinyolo as the main attacker.
Relatives said they are now considering legal avenues to have the charges upgraded to murder.
“He never apologised. Not even his family came to speak to us,” relatives reportedly said.
The post Zimbabwe Police Officer Jailed 3 Years After Bulawayo Father Of Two Dies Following Brutal Assault appeared first on iHarare News.
