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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A 34-YEAR-OLD man attacked a police officer and fled while in handcuffs after he was arrested for smoking dagga.

Lisani Nyoni from Macingwane Village in Mangwe District was later re-arrested at his homestead with the handcuffs still on.

He was convicted on his own plea of guilty to assaulting or resisting arrest by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere.

Nyoni was fined $300 and in default three months in prison.

Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said Nyoni assaulted Constable Shadreck Dzinavanhu on the head with the handcuffs before fleeing to his homestead on December 24 at around 9PM.

“Constable Dzinavanhu and Constable Mugore were conducting patrols at Macingwane Business Centre when they caught Nyoni red-handed smoking dagga at Ekuthuleni Shop. They confronted him in a bid to arrest him.

“Constable Dzinavanhu handcuffed Nyoni on one hand and when he tried to handcuff the other hand Nyoni refused and became violent,” he said.
Mr Mazorodze said Nyoni hit Constable Dzinavanhu once on the head with the handcuffs and then punched him several times all over the body.

He said Nyoni then fled to his homestead with the handcuffs.

Mr Mazorodze said Constable Dzinavanhu suffered some bruises as a result of the attack.

In mitigation, Nyoni begged for leniency.

“I was acting under the influence of alcohol. I later realised when I was home that I had done something wrong,” said Nyoni.

It was not stated in court whether or not Nyoni is facing additional charges of smoking dagga.

— @DubeMatutu