Chronicle Editor
Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THREE armed robbers yesterday carjacked and assaulted a Zimpapers driver in Bulawayo before crashing the vehicle and fleeing on foot.
The trio careened into Mzilikazi Filling Station narrowly missing fuel tanks and the vehicle, a Datsun Go, was a write off.
The incident occurred just after midnight as the driver, Mr Onius Mubure, was on his way back to the city centre after delivering staff in Gwabalanda suburb.
The gang pounced on Mr Mubure just after midnight at the traffic lights near Entumbane complex.
Narrating his brush with death yesterday, Mr Mubure said a man who appeared drunk staggered into the road and he reduced speed to avoid hitting him.
“Immediately, three men emerged from nowhere and jumped into the car. They produced a knife which they held to my neck and forced me to proceed to town. They kept on saying ‘sfun’ imali. Lenza imali ngokutshova,’ (we want money. You make money through pirating)” said Mr Mubure.
He said when they got to the Fly-over Bridge in Nguboyenja, the trio ordered him to stop the car and they took turns to assault him.
“One of them punched me in the face and I opened the door trying to flee but they caught up with me. They pinned me on the tarmac and hit my head on the road surface while the other searched me and took away $16 which was in the back pocket. I heard one of them ordering his friend to stab me with a broken bottle,” said Mr Mubure who suffered a swollen mouth, some injuries on the back and had his trousers torn during the scuffle.
He said when a kombi appeared, the trio rushed back into the car and sped off.
“I tried to flag down the kombi but it did not stop. A Delta staff bus appeared soon after and the driver stopped. I asked for assistance. As we got to the traffic lights less than 10 metres from where I was assaulted, I saw my vehicle already crashed at the service station with the robbers still inside,” Mr Mubure said.
“We rushed there together with the driver of the bus and tried to apprehend the robbers.”
He said the petrol attendant and two police officers were inside the office at the garage but it had been blocked by the vehicle.
“I shouted for help from the police but they were not helpful, instead they said qedelanani khonapho (finish your issues) resulting in the robbers fleeing,” said Mr Mubure.
Mr Stanley Magara, a security guard at the service station, was injured in the accident.
He said he was hit by the front fender which flew off the vehicle as it crashed against a wall.
“I did not see much because when the car crashed, the front fender of the car flew and hit me on the knee but I saw two youthful men, one of them who was injured on the face. However, they fled before they could be apprehended,” said Mr Magara.
Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said investigations were in progress.
“We are appealing to motorists to avoid stopping for strangers or suspicious characters especially at night. They should ensure that their windows are closed and doors locked at night,” said Insp Simango.
She urged motorists to adhere to the demands of their attackers by giving them what they want as life is more important than gadgets and property.
“It is the festive season and we want to urge the public to be responsible. They mustn’t drink and drive. They must make sure they have sober drivers who will drive them home. We are urging drivers to avoid night driving as most accidents occur at night. Bus drivers must also avoid overloading,” said Insp Simango.
@AuxiliaK
Online Reporter