As soon as word went around that Joseph Chani, the 51 year-old former Chief Superintendent, had been convicted and sent to jail, a lot of residents in the eastern border City could not contain their joy and elation.
The former ZANLA war vet was not only despised by the residents for his brutality, but by his own colleagues in the police force and soldiers based in Mutare.
Although he was the officer-commanding Mutare district, Chani had no respect for authority, especially towards his commanding officer in Manicaland province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Munorwei Shava Mathuthu.
Transferred to Mutare on a special assignment to stop the smuggling of diamonds from the Marange diamond fields, Chani thereafter assumed so much power that he became untouchable.
A Mutare based journalist told SW Radio Africa that Chani became such a powerful figure that even the Governor Christopher Mushowe, and both ZANU PF and MDC-T legislators, were scared to cross his path.
‘He used to physically assault police officers and soldiers who held junior positions to his if he suspected them of dealing in diamonds. He harassed vendors he thought were smugglers and residents were scared of him. No one dared cross his path and he didn’t see eye to eye with his commanding officer,’ the journalist said.
There are allegations that in one week Chani was involved in the killing of 15 suspected diamond smugglers along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. These allegations have never been investigated although the police are aware of them.
‘It’s believed the evidence is there because he used his service pistol to shoot most of the victims and if forensics were to be carried out, he would be fingered as the culprit. The reason why the police didn’t block his murder case was that there was so much overwhelming evidence lodged against him by members of the public.’
His troubles started in September last year when he brutally assaulted four family members in police holding cells after they were arrested on allegations of illegal diamond panning.
The brutal beatings led to the death of Tsorosai Kusena and the other three complainants, Pikirai Kusena, Onesai Kusena and John Gwite, testified that they still felt pain due to the torture.
‘Usually when police officers commit such crimes they go to great lengths to cover their deeds, including covering up for each other. But in this case, almost every police officer wanted to testify against him and all were unwilling to sweep the incident under the carpet,’ the journalist, who asked not to be identified, said.
When passing sentence on Thursday Justice Hlekani Mwayera said Chani had abused his office and tainted the image of the police force.
‘The accused became a menace and a law unto himself at the diamond base. This has tarnished the image of the police force and society loses confidence in police with such conduct.
‘He also abused his position of authority considering how he uncontrollably assaulted the complainants,’ the judge said. SW Radio Africa
Post published in: News