News / Africa
Kombi crew kidnaps, assaults police officer
28 Mar 2013 at 14:15hrs | Views
A GROUP of commuter omnibus drivers and touts from Bulawayo allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a policeman as the blitz on kombis launched by the police and the city council bite.
The incident happened on Monday.
The policeman was reportedly found dumped with serious injuries in Gwabalanda suburb following the assault he went through at the hands of the drivers and touts.
The police officer was kidnapped during a vigorous police operation aimed at arresting touts and kombi drivers loading passengers at undesignated points in the city.
The operation started on Friday last week.
Bulawayo police acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu confirmed the incident yesterday, saying two of the suspects have been arrested.
"We have arrested two men who were part of the group of people that kidnapped and assaulted a police officer. One was arrested on Tuesday evening while the other was arrested today (yesterday)," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
"There has been an operation to arrest kombis that load passengers at undesignated points."
He said the officer was kidnapped while on duty.
"A kombi was loading passengers at 6th Avenue and Lobengula Street Extension. A police officer in plain clothes got inside the kombi and duly identified himself to the driver at the same time informing him that he was under arrest.
"Instead, the driver took off at a high speed. Inside the kombi, colleagues of the driver took turns to assault the officer while the vehicle was moving," he said.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the abductors dumped the officer and drove off.
"They took him to the kombi owner's residence in Gwabalanda. On realising that they were being pursued by the police, they dumped the officer, left the residence and drove off," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He appealed to members of the public to assist in locating the kombi used in the abduction.
"Up to now, the kombi used during the crime has not been found. We have to get the vehicle as it was used to commit a crime.
"It is a white kombi, registered as ABZ-3592. Anyone who knows where it is can contact us on (09) 885479 or visit the nearest police station," he said.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the police would not hesitate to use maximum force on aggressive kombi crews.
"Our analysis indicates that kombi drivers and touts are being aggressive against police officers, which is a wrong and dangerous attitude.
"Our duty is to enforce the law and we will not let unruly elements impede on our operations.
"There is absolutely no way they will win the battle and we will take them head on. We have the legal right to use maximum force when dealing with aggressive and offensive people. We will not hesitate to use that force," he said.
Meanwhile, 305 touts, kombi drivers and 103 passengers have been arrested while 43 vehicles were impounded since the launch of the operation.
The offences include loading at undesignated areas, driving without certificate of fitness and a route permit as well as driving without vehicle licences.
The incident happened on Monday.
The policeman was reportedly found dumped with serious injuries in Gwabalanda suburb following the assault he went through at the hands of the drivers and touts.
The police officer was kidnapped during a vigorous police operation aimed at arresting touts and kombi drivers loading passengers at undesignated points in the city.
The operation started on Friday last week.
Bulawayo police acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu confirmed the incident yesterday, saying two of the suspects have been arrested.
"We have arrested two men who were part of the group of people that kidnapped and assaulted a police officer. One was arrested on Tuesday evening while the other was arrested today (yesterday)," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
"There has been an operation to arrest kombis that load passengers at undesignated points."
He said the officer was kidnapped while on duty.
"A kombi was loading passengers at 6th Avenue and Lobengula Street Extension. A police officer in plain clothes got inside the kombi and duly identified himself to the driver at the same time informing him that he was under arrest.
"Instead, the driver took off at a high speed. Inside the kombi, colleagues of the driver took turns to assault the officer while the vehicle was moving," he said.
"They took him to the kombi owner's residence in Gwabalanda. On realising that they were being pursued by the police, they dumped the officer, left the residence and drove off," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
He appealed to members of the public to assist in locating the kombi used in the abduction.
"Up to now, the kombi used during the crime has not been found. We have to get the vehicle as it was used to commit a crime.
"It is a white kombi, registered as ABZ-3592. Anyone who knows where it is can contact us on (09) 885479 or visit the nearest police station," he said.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the police would not hesitate to use maximum force on aggressive kombi crews.
"Our analysis indicates that kombi drivers and touts are being aggressive against police officers, which is a wrong and dangerous attitude.
"Our duty is to enforce the law and we will not let unruly elements impede on our operations.
"There is absolutely no way they will win the battle and we will take them head on. We have the legal right to use maximum force when dealing with aggressive and offensive people. We will not hesitate to use that force," he said.
Meanwhile, 305 touts, kombi drivers and 103 passengers have been arrested while 43 vehicles were impounded since the launch of the operation.
The offences include loading at undesignated areas, driving without certificate of fitness and a route permit as well as driving without vehicle licences.
Source - TC
