Tinotenda Hove- A 29-year-old Mutare resident has been remanded in custody after appearing before the courts on allegations of violently attacking a police officer who was carrying out official duties during an operation targeting illegal transport activities.

Brenton Tsakatsa, of House Number 1285, Chikanga 1, appeared before Mutare Provincial Magistrate Anne Ndiraya last Friday facing charges of assaulting or resisting a police officer in terms of Section 176 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).

Tsakatsa, who is represented by lawyer Passmore Gwizo of Mugadza and Chinzamba Legal Practitioners, denied the allegations.

The court postponed the matter to July 13, 2026, when the case is expected to proceed to trial.

According to prosecutor Chris Munyuku, the incident occurred on June 29 at around 10:20am at Apex Service Station in Mutare, where police officers were conducting “Operation No to Mushika-shika.”

The court heard that Constable Maxwell Mkumbuzi, accompanied by Constables Machazi and Mazambara, approached Tsakatsa, who was driving a vehicle bearing registration number AHH 5611. Prosecutors allege the officer informed Tsakatsa that he was under arrest for touting after approaching his vehicle during the operation.

It is alleged that Tsakatsa got out of the vehicle and confronted the officer before repeatedly striking him with open hands.
The State further alleges that during the confrontation, Constable Mkumbuzi dropped his baton, which Tsakatsa allegedly picked up and used to hit the officer twice on the head and once on the left arm.

Prosecutors told the court that Tsakatsa then returned to his vehicle and drove away after noticing another officer moving towards him.

Constable Mkumbuzi reportedly sustained injuries in the alleged assault and later underwent medical examination. The State indicated that a medical affidavit documenting the injuries will be presented as evidence during the trial.

The prosecution maintains that the complainant was lawfully executing his duties at the time of the alleged assault.