BULAWAYO - Police here have defied a Magistrate court order to release one of the three men they mistakenly shot on suspicion of armed robbery.Sanyanga was shot in the abdomen last month when police ambushed him and two of his friends along Fife Street in the city centre where police detectives had lured them on suspicion that they were armed robbers. They were suspected of having robbed Premier Banks Bulawayo branch.
Last week Bulawayo senior magistrate, Ntombizodwa Mazhandu, ordered the release of Lewis Sanyanga (20) saying there was no evidence linking him to the offence. However, police are still detaining him claiming that they are continuing investigations.
In a letter addressed to Attorney Generals office and copied to area Public Prosecutor, Provincial Magistrate and the Officer in Charge Criminal Investigations Department Sanyangas lawyer, Vonani Majoko said he was disappointed by polices refusal to release his client as ordered by the court.
The police continue to station armed guards around the clock to guard our client in hospital in defiance of the court order, said Majoko.
Sanyanga is battling for his life at Mater Dei Hospital where he is under police guard.
Majoko also said to date their pleas have elicited no response and were now giving notice of their intention to apply that the police are found in contempt of court.
Sanyangas alleged accomplice, Fletcher Tawengwa, was shot dead at the scene, while the other, Mxolisi Tshuma, escaped unscathed.
Post published in: News