Mushikashika driver jailed 12 months for assaulting police officer, stealing baton
A mushikashika operator in Mutare, Brendon Tsakatsa, 29, of Chikanga 1, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for assaulting a police officer at a service station in the city.
The incident occurred on 29 June 2026 and involved Constable Maxwell Mukumbuzi, who was on duty at the time.
Tsakatsa’s arrest followed the circulation on social media of a video showing a police officer being assaulted by a motorist at a service station.
He appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted and sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment for assaulting a police officer, one month for carrying passengers without an operator’s licence, and one month for theft of a police baton.
On his initial appearance, Tsakatsa was arraigned before provincial magistrate Anne Ndiraya. He was represented by Passmore Gwizo of Mugadza and Chinzamba Legal Practitioners.
He faced a charge of assaulting or resisting a police officer under Section 176 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. He pleaded not guilty.
The charge stemmed from an incident on 29 June at about 10:20 am at Apex Service Station in Mutare.
The court heard that Tsakatsa unlawfully and intentionally assaulted, or violently resisted, Constable Maxwell Mkumbuzi while the officer was carrying out his duties. T
he State argued that Tsakatsa knew Mkumbuzi was a police officer, or realised there was a real risk that he was.
Prosecutor Chris Munyuku told the court that Constable Mkumbuzi was on duty as part of “Operation No to Mushikashika”, alongside Constables Machazi and Mazambara.
Munyuku said Mkumbuzi approached Tsakatsa, who was driving an AD van, registration AHH 5611, and shouting “One asara”. Mkumbuzi stood in front of the vehicle and told Tsakatsa he was under arrest for touting.
Tsakatsa stopped the vehicle, got out, approached the officer and struck him several times with open hands.
During the assault, Mkumbuzi dropped a baton he was holding. Tsakatsa allegedly picked it up and hit the officer twice on the head and once on the left arm.
The accused then returned to his vehicle and drove off after noticing Constable Machazi approaching.
Constable Mkumbuzi sustained injuries and was medically examined. A medical affidavit was produced in court as evidence.
Munyuku submitted that Mkumbuzi was acting lawfully at the time of the assault.
