Zvikomborero Parafini
FOUR men, who allegedly assaulted CID Homicide boss, Alexander Jachi, have been denied bail after the presiding magistrate ruled that they were not suitable candidates.
Munyaradzi Chatonzwa, Sydney Rande, Mark Tatenda Chingombe and Simbarashe Steven Ota, who have been in custody since their initial appearance on Monday last week, were denied bail by Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei.
He ruled that it would not be in the interest of justice to grant them bail.
In opposing bail, prosecutor Pardon Dziva led evidence from the investigating officer, Dliwe Mpofu.
Mpofu argued that the four were not suitable for bail because there is a high risk that they would flee.
“The four accused persons are facing a serious offence of attempted murder, theft of a firearm and malicious damage to property which attract a custodial sentence.
“If granted bail, they are likely to skip this jurisdiction, there is also a likelihood that they might interfere with investigations and witnesses if released on bail and they have the propensity to continue committing serious offences such as these,” said Mpofu.
In motivating their bail bid, the quartet’s lawyers argued that the top cop was drunk and acted irrationally by discharging a firearm in a public place where imbibers were drinking.
The court heard that on September 30, Jachi was driving a gold Toyota Fortuner on his way to his Chitungwiza home from Highfields.
He is said to have spotted a VW Polo and a Honda Fit trailing him and blocked his way when he tried to turn into Seke Road.
He then turned and drove towards the city centre, but the two vehicles were in hot pursuit.
The State said Jachi then drove to Jongwe Corner and, as soon as he parked, Chatonzwa and Rande got out of their car and charged towards him.
Despite Jachi warning Chatonzwa to back off, he continued to advance towards him.
Jachi fired a warning shot into the air, but Chatonzwa continued approaching, prompting Jachi to shoot him once in the leg.
Instead of retreating, Chatonzwa continued his advance and struck Jachi with an unknown object, causing him to fall.
The other attackers joined in and assaulted Jachi, stealing his wallet, identity cards and service pistol.
The four attackers are facing charges of attempted murder, theft of a firearm and malicious damage to property.
Jachi’s particulars were recovered from Chatonzwa, but his service pistol has yet to be found.