Horror for Mutare traffic cop

Abel Zhakata Mutare Bureau
THERE was drama in Mutare’s Central Business District last Saturday afternoon after an irate kombi driver, who was evading paying a spot fine drove off at high speed while a traffic cop hung precariously on his vehicle’s bumper.

Shoppers were shocked as the driver sped up and down the streets as he tried to shake-off the police officer who did not budge.

The incident could have turned tragic after the kombi driver attempted to crush the hanging cop into a building but alert members of the public came to the rescue.

Godfrey Chigwingwi was later arrested and charged with attempted murder and a litany of other traffic offences.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, confirmed the incident which occurred at around 1.30pm.

“Our traffic police officers, who were carrying out their law enforcement duties confronted the suspect near Yabes Hardware where he was dangerously parking his vehicle, a Toyota Hiace (Registration Number ABZ 2914),” he said.

“One of the officers went to the front of the vehicle with the intention of inspecting the licence discs when all of a sudden the suspect drove off. The officer, who could have been run over jumped, onto the bumper and clutched onto it.”

The vehicle drove towards the Herbert Chitepo and C Avenue intersection and went straight, disobeying red traffic lights.

“He turned into Third Street and made a sudden U-turn, trying to shake-off the police officer who kept his grip. He then tried to hit the police officer against a wall but members of the public, who were following quickly came to the rescue,” said Insp Kakohwa.

The cop then jumped off the bumper and the suspect fled at high speed.

He was later arrested at Sakubva Musika where he had parked the vehicle.