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Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
A Chitungwiza motorist tried to kill a Rusape traffic police officer after hitting her with his vehicle and driving for about 600 metres while she was precariously hanging on the bonnet.
Jimu Sigauke Bahari (29) of Number 33 Baribango in Zengeza 1, Chitungwiza, who is represented by Rusape lawyer, Mr Maxwell Chiwanza, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges when he appeared in court last week.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault with aggravating circumstances.
Bahari is expected to know his fate on Wednesday when Rusape regional magistrate, Mr Livingstone Chipadza, is expected to deliver his judgment.
Rusape District prosecutor Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira said Bahari only stopped his vehicle with Constable Theodora Chiparawashe hanging on the bonnet after he was chased by a well-wisher who had offered fellow police officers transport.
“On May 18 at around 1pm at the 162km peg along Harare-Mutare Highway, Constable Chiparawashe was in the company of Sergeant Mwonzora, Constable Lavaia and Constable Goshomi when she saw the accused person overtaking on a continuous line with his Toyota Wish vehicle, Registration Number AEO 0353. Chiparawashe then signalled Bahari to stop,” he said.
“Bahari stopped and was asked to produce his driver’s licence. He produced a photocopy of his driver’s licence. He claimed that he had left his original driver’s licence at home.
“Cst Chiparawashe went to the front of the vehicle to check for other road offences on the vehicle and she called Cst Lavaia to assist her. Bahari then drove his vehicle towards the complainant and hit her.
“Constable Chiparawashe was thrown on the bonnet of the vehicle. The accused person drove forward and back in a bid to shake off the complainant from the bonnet, but to no avail as she got a firm grip on the wipers of the vehicle.”
Mr Mutyasira said Bahari drove the vehicle for about 600 metres, while Cst Chiparawashe was still hanging on the bonnet.
Cst Lavaia and Sergeant Mwonzora gave chase using a well-wisher’s vehicle and they managed to intercept Bahari’s vehicle.
“Bahari was ordered to come out of the vehicle and was arrested,” said Mr Mutyasira. “The complainant lost her shoes and police cap and traffic books during the scuffle. She sustained some injuries on her left palm.”
In his closing submissions, Mr Chiwanza said the conduct of his client did not amount to attempted murder, but assault with aggravating circumstances.
Mr Mutyasira argued that Bahari’s conduct was likely to cause the death of Cst Chiparawashe, as driving the vehicle while she was on the bonnet was to make her fall off.
He also argued that Bahari wanted to kill Cst Chiparawashe by running over her.
Online Reporter