Minister Mpofu’s shot guard back in hospital
A FEMALE police officer who was allegedly shot by a male colleague last year while he was trying to sneak into a Government minister’ s house she was guarding is critically ill and has been hospitalised again.
Constable Hazel Mutasa was allegedly shot by Constable Lloyd Salobe (29) at Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Obert Mpofu’s Gunhill residence in Harare in October last year.
Sa lobe, who was remanded in his trial court, was brought back into the remand court due to Mutasa’s worsening condition.
Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Mako more man dedSa lob e to April 25 pending Mutasa’s recovery.
“The complainant’s condition is worsening and she is not yet out of the woods. Accused will remain in custody pending her recovery or more serious charges might arise,” said Mr Makomo.
It is alleged that Salobe shot M uta saw ill trying to sneak into Minister Mpofu’s house to see his lover, a housemaid at that house.
Salobe is facing charges of attempted murder and supplying false information.
The prosecutor, Mr Sebastian Mu tizirwa, alleged that on October 30 last year, Sal ob ea nd his colleague in the Police Protection Unit, Mu t asa, were together on parade at Harare Central Police Station before being deployed to provide night security services in Highlands and Gunhill, respectively.
While a this station( Justice Lavender Mako ni’ sh ome),Sa lob e decided to visit his girlfriend at Minister Mp ofu’s home where M uta saw as on duty.
At around 10 pm, Sal ob eal leg ed ly called his girlfriend informing her that he was coming over.
The court heard that at around 2am, Mutasa heard a knock at the guard room and asked for the day’ s password.
Salobe gave the correct password and Mutasa opened the guardroom.
It is alleged that Mutasa was surprised to see that the visitor was wearing a face mask and armed with an AK47 rifle. Salobe ordered Mut as a to follow his orders and she dropped her gun and surrendered.
He kicked Mutasa and she fell to the ground before a scuffle en sued.
Trying to free herself, Mutasa allegedly crawled towards the house intending to alert the residents.
It is alleged that Sal ob et hen shot her on the left side of her abdomen.
Thinking that Mutasa was dead, Salobe scaled the precast wall and fled to his work station.
To cover his tracks, Salobe allegedly to re his uniform and scratched his face, stomach and chest using thorns.
It is alleged that he told residents at his work station that he was attacked by an assailant who stole his fire arm and police uniform.
He added that the assailant returned the firearm minutes later with two rounds of ammunition missing.
He reported the matter to the police and investigations revealed that he had filed a false report.
The face mask was also recovered a this workstation. A medical examination concluded that Mu tasasuffered lacerations on her backside and lower abdomen.