A 40-year-old Zimbabwean police officer, Owen Manjengwa, has been sentenced to jail for assaulting a schoolteacher during an investigation into a suspected case of unlawful entry.
The incident occurred on February 21, 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM at Mhlanguledzi Primary School in Chikombedzi. According to a statement released by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) on May 8, 2025, Manjengwa approached the teacher in connection with a complaint of unlawful entry reported the previous day.
During the confrontation, the officer informed the teacher that he was under arrest. However, when the teacher denied the allegations, Manjengwa reportedly assaulted him using open hands and a baton. The teacher sustained serious internal injuries, including trauma from being struck on the face and beaten on the buttocks with the baton.
ATTENTION: Click Here to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Following a court hearing, the presiding magistrate sentenced Manjengwa to 90 days in prison, with the option of paying a US\$200 fine. Additionally, a four-month jail term was imposed but wholly suspended for five years, contingent on the officer not committing a similar offense within that period.
The case has drawn public attention to the issue of police misconduct and the importance of upholding human rights during investigations.
About the Author
