News / National
Ex-cop arrested for attempting to shoot and kill cop trying to arrest him
02 Jun 2012 at 06:05hrs | Views
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau
AN ex-police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly attempting to shoot and kill a policeman who wanted to arrest him for soliciting for bribes from members of the public in the city.
Police have since recovered a Star pistol with four rounds of ammunition after arresting the suspect identified as Chirau of Mufakose who was based at Harare Central Police Station.
Chirau was discharged from the force on March 19 this year for being unsuitable for police duties.
He was still in custody yesterday assisting with investigations. It is still not clear where he had obtained the pistol and he is believed to be behind a spate of armed robberies.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau, said on Tuesday Chirau "arrested" a person in the city for urinating in a public place after pretending to be a policeman.
"He then asked for a US$10 bribe but was given US$5 and told to come and collect the balance at NSSA Building where that person works," he said.
On Wednesday, Chirau went to that person's workplace at around 1.30 pm and demanded the balance but this resulted in an argument between the two. A policeman who was in plain clothes and in the same building heard the two arguing and intervened.
He produced his identity card before ordering Chirau to produce his but he refused.
"Chirau stepped back and produced a pistol before fleeing from the scene but the policeman gave chase," Insp Sabau said.
The public was called to assist but Chirau ran into the Harare Gardens and fired one shot at the policeman from about 30 metres. No one was shot but the public which was assisting scampered for cover fearing for their lives. Policemen manning a police post in the Harare Gardens heard the gunshot and went to investigate. They were informed and they armed themselves with an FN rifle.
They started looking for Chirau who had hidden near Makombe Building.
Chirau had taken off the jacket he was wearing but was spotted by a woman who alerted the police.
He was disarmed and it was discovered that he was an ex-police sergeant.
The matter is being handled by detectives from the CID Homicide who believe that he could be linked to a spate of armed robberies in Harare and around the capital.
Insp Sabau urged the public to inform the force's internal investigations on (04) 702083 or Harare Central Anti-Corruption Unit on numbers 0774 408059, 0712 523986 and 0773 801 370 if they come across people masquerading as policemen.
Police have been on record saying the force will not hesitate to discharge from duty any rotten apples and those found involved in criminal activities.
For the past few years several police officers have been fired for being unsuitable for duties.
Some of them are believed to be behind some of the criminal activities.
Most of them have been arrested while others are still in hiding.
Police have since recovered a Star pistol with four rounds of ammunition after arresting the suspect identified as Chirau of Mufakose who was based at Harare Central Police Station.
Chirau was discharged from the force on March 19 this year for being unsuitable for police duties.
He was still in custody yesterday assisting with investigations. It is still not clear where he had obtained the pistol and he is believed to be behind a spate of armed robberies.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau, said on Tuesday Chirau "arrested" a person in the city for urinating in a public place after pretending to be a policeman.
"He then asked for a US$10 bribe but was given US$5 and told to come and collect the balance at NSSA Building where that person works," he said.
On Wednesday, Chirau went to that person's workplace at around 1.30 pm and demanded the balance but this resulted in an argument between the two. A policeman who was in plain clothes and in the same building heard the two arguing and intervened.
He produced his identity card before ordering Chirau to produce his but he refused.
"Chirau stepped back and produced a pistol before fleeing from the scene but the policeman gave chase," Insp Sabau said.
They started looking for Chirau who had hidden near Makombe Building.
Chirau had taken off the jacket he was wearing but was spotted by a woman who alerted the police.
He was disarmed and it was discovered that he was an ex-police sergeant.
The matter is being handled by detectives from the CID Homicide who believe that he could be linked to a spate of armed robberies in Harare and around the capital.
Insp Sabau urged the public to inform the force's internal investigations on (04) 702083 or Harare Central Anti-Corruption Unit on numbers 0774 408059, 0712 523986 and 0773 801 370 if they come across people masquerading as policemen.
Police have been on record saying the force will not hesitate to discharge from duty any rotten apples and those found involved in criminal activities.
For the past few years several police officers have been fired for being unsuitable for duties.
Some of them are believed to be behind some of the criminal activities.
Most of them have been arrested while others are still in hiding.
Source - th
