Mafia-Style Midnight Attack on State Witness

Yesterday, a court heard that, Claudius Chauke, a state witness in a bribery case, was attacked and threatened by police officers in his home. Five police officers, armed with knives, allegedly raided Chauke’s home in an attempt to stop him from testifying.

It was for this reason that Chauke failed to appear at an initial court hearing.

Chauke finally revealed his plight, saying:

“They came to my house at night and told me that they were from the President’s Office…They threatened to kill me if I testified against them in this court. They said they would slit my throat if I ever set foot in this court.”

It is alleged that the police officers told Chauke that it would be in his best interest to stay away from the witness box. Although Chauke believed all five to be officers of the law, only Malvin Ndlovu (36) an assistant inspector, admitted he was a police officer in court. The other four suspects are said to be civilians, unnamed and still at large.

Ndlovu appeared before Western Commonage magistrate and was charged with extortion and criminal abuse of office. He appeared alongside an accomplice, another police officer, Trymore Gore (34) who allegedly demanded a bribe together with Ndlovu from Chauke, but did not form part of the group that invaded his home.