News / Local
'Kombi driver attempts to kill cops'
10 Feb 2015 at 16:53hrs | Views
A Bulawayo commuter omnibus driver appeared in court on Monday for allegedly attempting to kill two police officers who had arrested him over a traffic offence in the city.
Thulani Ncube (31) of Pumula North pleaded not guilty to the allegations when he appeared before Magistrate Mark Dzira at the Bulawayo Regional Courts.
He is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and assaulting a police officer.
Ncube said he mistook the two police officers stationed at Bulawayo Central Traffic for 'thugs', as one of them had entered his vehicle through a window. He further told the court that the language used by the pair, which insinuated that they wanted a bribe, later made him suspect that they were police officers.
"Bathi imota yakho iyatshisa, asambe sizakhulumela phambili, (the vehicle is wanted by police for many offences, drive so that we can talk about that)," said the kombi driver.
He denied that the police officers instructed him to drive to Bulawayo Central Traffic section as alleged, but merely attempted to solicit a bribe from him. Ncube claimed that when he was arrested, the police officers threatened to come up with charges against him, only to 'fix' him.
The allegations are that on October 18 2014 at around 0815hrs, Ncube 'dangerously parked' his vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, at the corner of Leopold Takawira Avenue and Hebert Chitepo Street, from where he offloaded passengers.
Constables Mathobela and Sibanda arrested him and advised him to drive to the station.
Ncube reportedly seemed to comply until he got to 10th Avenue and Hebert Chitepo Street where he was supposed to turn right but instead accelerated and drove towards corner 13th Avenue and Lobengula Street. The driver finally stopped after Constable Mathobela applied the handbrake.
After switching off the vehicle, Ncube allegedly disembarked and forcibly pulled out Mathobela, who was seated on the passenger's seat. He allegedly tried to hit the police detail against the ground but Mathobela held onto him, resulting in the two tripping .
Ncube quickly got up, rushed into the vehicle and drove off due west along 13th Avenue. He then allegedly made a U-turn at the traffic lights, driving off in a high speed and intending to run-over the two police officers who were now watching from the pavement.
Mathobela and Sibanda reportedly ran away from the charging vehicle to save their lives.
The matter was postponed for judgement to February 13 2015.
Thulani Ncube (31) of Pumula North pleaded not guilty to the allegations when he appeared before Magistrate Mark Dzira at the Bulawayo Regional Courts.
He is facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and assaulting a police officer.
Ncube said he mistook the two police officers stationed at Bulawayo Central Traffic for 'thugs', as one of them had entered his vehicle through a window. He further told the court that the language used by the pair, which insinuated that they wanted a bribe, later made him suspect that they were police officers.
"Bathi imota yakho iyatshisa, asambe sizakhulumela phambili, (the vehicle is wanted by police for many offences, drive so that we can talk about that)," said the kombi driver.
He denied that the police officers instructed him to drive to Bulawayo Central Traffic section as alleged, but merely attempted to solicit a bribe from him. Ncube claimed that when he was arrested, the police officers threatened to come up with charges against him, only to 'fix' him.
The allegations are that on October 18 2014 at around 0815hrs, Ncube 'dangerously parked' his vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, at the corner of Leopold Takawira Avenue and Hebert Chitepo Street, from where he offloaded passengers.
Constables Mathobela and Sibanda arrested him and advised him to drive to the station.
Ncube reportedly seemed to comply until he got to 10th Avenue and Hebert Chitepo Street where he was supposed to turn right but instead accelerated and drove towards corner 13th Avenue and Lobengula Street. The driver finally stopped after Constable Mathobela applied the handbrake.
After switching off the vehicle, Ncube allegedly disembarked and forcibly pulled out Mathobela, who was seated on the passenger's seat. He allegedly tried to hit the police detail against the ground but Mathobela held onto him, resulting in the two tripping .
Ncube quickly got up, rushed into the vehicle and drove off due west along 13th Avenue. He then allegedly made a U-turn at the traffic lights, driving off in a high speed and intending to run-over the two police officers who were now watching from the pavement.
Mathobela and Sibanda reportedly ran away from the charging vehicle to save their lives.
The matter was postponed for judgement to February 13 2015.
Source - Zim Mail
