Three commuter omnibus passengers were shot and injured
yesterday along Mutare Road in Msasa, Harare, when a pursuing police officer
opened fire on a kombi whose driver failed to stop at the Mabvuku turn-off
roadblock.
Shupikai Kachaya (27), who suffered an ankle injury, Dylan
Chidhava (24), who was injured on the left buttock, and Violet Wairesi (32),
who was injured on the right thigh, were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of
Hospitals where they were receiving treatment.
They were reported to be in a stable condition last night.
Police confirmed the incident and apologised for the
injuries, which they said could have been avoided had the driver stopped at the
roadblock.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi said a silver Nissan caravan commuter omnibus (registration number ADZ
5261) ignored a police roadblock at Mabvuku turn-off when the driver was
signalled to stop.
He did not. An armed police officer stood in the middle of
Mutare Road just after the roadblock and again signalled the driver to stop,
but he sped off.
The officer then got a lift from a well-wisher and pursued
the kombi, finding it parked near the headquarters of the Minerals Marketing
Corporation of Zimbabwe.
When the officer tried to engage the driver of the kombi,
he drove off. The police officer then fired two warning shots, but the driver
did not stop.
He then fired at the commuter omnibus to deflate the tyres
and in the process, three passengers were injured.
“The police found out that the driver had no driver’s
licence and failed to obey police instructions to stop. There was no route
authority, vehicle licence and passengers’ licence,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
The driver is now facing attempted murder charges for
driving towards the police officer and reckless driving.
“As police, we want to apologise for this unfortunate
incident which could have been avoided if the driver had taken heed of police
instructions,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“We also urge commuter omnibus owners not to employ
unlicensed drivers. We urge drivers to stop at all police checkpoints and to
comply with instructions.” Herald
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