adminThe incident happened at Phakama Shopping Centre and the policeman has been identified as Constable Blessing Maminimini aged 30.
The illegal gold panner, only identified as Zie, is said to have attacked Const Maminimini at about 8.30pm and then fled from the scene soon after committing the crime.
Witnesses said he was in the company of his friends, who also vanished into the darkness.
The witnesses said the policeman, who was in plain clothes, was restraining some people who were fighting at Cry Mantengwane Nightclub, which is located at Phakama Shopping Centre.
“During the process of trying to restrain the people involved in the scuffle, the police officer was stabbed with a knife in the chest by a makorokoza called Zie. This guy has been causing problems at public drinking places at Phakama Shopping Centre for the past few days,” said the witness.
Other witnesses said soon after the stabbing, some police officers came to the scene to investigate what had happened.
The national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka confirmed the incident in a telephone interview from Harare.
“We can confirm that a police officer from Gwanda was yesterday stabbed three times with a sharp object and later stoned to death while he was trying to stop a fight,” he said.
Chief Supt Mandipaka expressed concern over the failure by people who were at the scene to intervene to save the policeman from being attacked.
“As he was being attacked, members of the public did not intervene to try and stop the suspect from assaulting him. Although he was in civilian clothing, it was common knowledge that he was a local police officer.
“We therefore urge members of the public to be cooperative and assist the police wherever possible especially in incidents like this one when the police officer was making sure that there is enforcement of law, order and peace,” he said.
Chief Supt Mandipaka said as police officers, they wanted to enjoy cordial relationship with members of the public.
He said it was unhealthy for members of the public to attack police officers.
“We have since launched a manhunt for the suspect who is still at large,” said Chief Supt Mandipaka.
Online Reporter