adminMidlands Bureau
THE trial of the pirate taxi driver who sped off in Gweru while a traffic cop was clinging on the bonnet resumed yesterday with a policeman who witnessed the drama testifying. Constable Axian Muskwe told the court how he desperately gave chase to the speeding motorist in a bid to save his colleague, Constable Tafara Tizai.
His evidence was largely in harmony with the complainant’s.
He told how the motorist, Tapiwa Mumvana, allegedly tried to evade arrest by driving at a high speed and knocking down Const Tizai’s bicycle.
Const Muskwe said he was on duty together with his colleague wearing uniforms when they allegedly spotted Mumvana dropping passengers at an undesignated point.
He said Mumvana took off suddenly as he tried to escape, forcing Const Tizai to cling on the bonnet of his car, a Toyota Funcargo.
Regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire remanded the matter to Monday for submissions.
Mumvana, 27, of Senga, is now facing an attempted murder charge at the regional courts in Gweru. He admits to driving his car with Const Tizai on the bonnet.
Mumvana, however, denied that he intended to kill the law officer.
Prosecuting, Ndamukanei Chikuni said on March 18 this year at around 7AM, Mumvana was driving the car when he stopped at an undesignated point along Lobengula Avenue in Gweru Central Business District to drop passengers.
Chikuni said Mumvana was approached by Const Tizai who was on bike patrol together with his colleague, Const Muskwe.
The court heard that the accused was told that he was under arrest for offloading passengers at an undesignated place.
Chikuni said Mumvana closed all his vehicle’s windows and reversed the car in a bid to escape.
She said the two officers ordered him to stop.
The court heard that Mumvana drove his car towards Const Tizai and hit his bicycle.
Chikuni said Const Tizai was forced to jump on the bonnet of the vehicle to avoid getting crushed and held on the car’s wipers for dear life.
She said the accused drove off at high speed along Third Street going towards show grounds along Mvuma Road.
It is further alleged that Mumvana was driving his car in a zig-zag manner and applying sudden brakes as he tried to shake the police officer off the bonnet.
Chikuni said Const Tizai kept on ordering the accused to stop but he did not comply.
She said Mumvana then drove towards a traffic circle near the Gweru Show Grounds and just after the grounds, he opened his window.
The police officer grabbed the chance, quickly went for the keys and turned off the engine.
He also removed the keys from the ignition and the car stopped.
Chikuni said the car had moved for a distance of about 1.5km with the policeman on its bonnet.
She said Const Muskwe who was following on his bicycle arrived at the scene and helped the complainant to arrest Mumvana.
Const Tizai did not sustain any injuries.
Chikuni said Mumvana’s speed and manner of driving while the police officer clung on the bonnet proved that the accused had intentions of killing the complainant.
Mumvana told the court that Const Tizai threw himself willingly on the bonnet.
He denied the charge of trying to kill him deliberately.
Online Reporter