Police set dogs on suspects

CHEGUTU – A suspected marijuana dealer is nursing injuries at home after two
police dogs savaged him at Chegutu shops recently, following a raid.

It is believed two police dog handlers pounced on the dealer, identified only as
Jokonya, and his accomplices who were smoking marijuana and guka behind shops.

When the police swooped on them, the syndicate was asked to seat down but
Jokonya decided otherwise, by performing a Usain Bolt-like sprint away from the
law-enforcement agents, prompting them to release their dogs after him.

No prizes for guessing there as he was bitten by the dogs on the legs before his brief
flight was brought to a screeching halt and he was apprehended.

Jokonya is suspected of being the supplier of the illicit drugs, which he allegedly
supplies to drug addicts. He was taken to the local police station, where he was
questioned and released.

Jokonya did not go for medical treatment even though he is injured.

He must go to the clinic before the wounds get worse. I do not know why he is
fearing to go for treatment, said one member of the drug peddling syndicate.
He explained that the victim must go for treatment for fear of contracting rabies,
although police dogs are vaccinated annually against the canine disease.

Isu tazotiza mapurisa apo vangosiya imbwa dzichimhanyisa Jokonya. Kutaura kuno
dai tiri kumapurisa nekuda kwembanje,” said Remember Phiri, one member of the
syndicate.

Several people blamed the two officers for setting the dogs on the suspects.

Zvinoshamisa zvikuru kana mapurisa achisiya imbwa dzichiruma vanhu. Pamusoro
pazvo vapari vemhosva ava vanga vachingova vapfumbamwe chete. Hapana
amboratidza kurwisa zvokuti ndoona sekunge paisada kushandisa imbwa," observed
Perry Pazvakavambwa.

Jokonya was not reachable to explain his side of the story or reluctance to seek
medical treatment.

Last year, a man ran away and disappeared with police handcuffs at Westend
business centre after he was arrested for public violence.