Kombi driver runs over 2 cops on duty

Midlands Bureau
TWO police officers from Gweru are battling for their lives in separate hospitals after suffering broken limbs when they were allegedly run over by a commuter omnibus while on patrol. Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende refused to comment and referred all questions to national police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who said he was still to get details on the case.

However, police sources close to the matter told The Herald that the incident happened on Thursday last week around 4pm at the intersection of Eighth Street and Leopold Takawira Street when constables Godwell Chikamba and Logistic Muzuve were on patrol along Eighth Street in the Central Business District (CBD).

“The two police officers who were in uniform were patrolling the CBD when they saw a commuter omnibus — a Toyota Hiace — which was at the intersection of Eighth Street and Leopold Takawira Street. The police officers suspected that the three occupants including the driver were smoking dagga,” said the source.

He said the police officers allegedly waved down the commuter omnibus intending to carry out a search.
“The driver of the commuter omnibus didn’t comply with instructions to stop and ran over the two members injuring them seriously,” said the source.

After seeing that he had injured the two police officers, said the source, the commuter omnibus driver — who is still to be identified — and is at large allegedly dumped the vehicle and fled from the scene.

“The commuter omnibus driver dumped the vehicle along Eighth Street and fled from the scene. He is still at large. Cst Chikamba sustained a deep cut on the forehead, bruises on the face and chest and a fractured right leg and was ferried to Midlands Private Hospital while Cst Muzvuve, who sustained a fractured leg and swollen right hand, was ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital where they are receiving treatment. Their condition is said to be serious,” said the source.

The matter, the source said, was reported to the police and the commuter omnibus was impounded and taken to the VID depot.
The suspects are still at large.