Police officer assaulted over counselee affair

A police officer was assaulted by three men on Tuesday after being discovered at a lodge with one of his counselees, following a tip-off.

Constable Blessing Mutoko, 33, of the Victim Friendly Unit at Budiriro Police Station, was rushed to Harare Central Hospital due to injuries sustained during the altercation.

The assailants were identified as Charles Jamba, 66, Joseph Jamba, 38, and Tinashe Magumve, 21.

Mutoko had been counselling a couple involved in a domestic violence case.

After exchanging contact information, he developed an inappropriate relationship with the wife, leading to a rendezvous at Dombo Lodge, near the police station.

After their meeting, the two went their separate ways.

However, the woman’s husband and his relatives approached Mutoko, who was not in uniform, and demanded to know what he was doing with her.

Sensing danger, he hurriedly entered a commuter omnibus to escape the situation.

The three men pursued him and forcibly pulled him from the vehicle, leading to a violent altercation.

Despite his attempts to resist, Mutoko was assaulted with fists, sustaining several injuries, including a cut on his nose and a swollen face.

A bystander intervened and reported the incident to the ZRP Budiriro, which led to the arrest of the three assailants.

Mutoko was later referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital for medical examination and treatment.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unavailable for comment, but Zimpapers has confirmed that the case is being officially documented under RRB 6698354.

One eyewitness remarked on the incident, stating, “Mutoko was jeered at for his handling of the domestic violence case. Counselling requires professionalism, and this officer not only failed to demonstrate that but also misused the contact details of the counselee.” *_-H-Metro_*