Motorist drives off with roadblock cop

THERE was drama along the Bulawayo-Plumtree highway when a motorist reportedly drove off with a policeman who had entered his vehicle to conduct a search at a roadblock.

He later dumped him a few kilometres from the roadblock.

Witnesses said the policeman got into the vehicle, a pick-up truck with a canopy, intending to conduct a search when the driver of the vehicle suddenly sped off with him on board.

There were two other officers who were shell-shocked as their colleague was  "kidnapped".

The vehicle also had two other people who were coming from Plumtree Town and were sitting in the front.

No details of the driver or the policeman could be established as police said no report had been made.

However, witnesses insisted yesterday that the incident occurred on Friday evening near Red Wood and the vehicle was coming from Plumtree Border Post and was carrying cross- border traders from Botswana.

"We were coming from Botswana on Friday when the pick-up truck we were travelling in was stopped by police at a roadblock. The police were searching luggage and one of the policemen got into the back of the vehicle to search. To our surprise the driver started the car and sped off with the policeman in the car," said one of the passengers.

"He drove at high speed while the policeman was now banging the vehicle requesting to be dropped. After driving for more than three kilometres the driver then stopped the vehicle and when the policeman jumped off and tried to come to the front, he drove off again leaving him in the bush."

Contacted for comment, acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Sergeant Nkosilathi Sibanda said they had not received such a report, but urged motorists to cooperate with police as they were mandated to enforce the law.

"We have not received such a report and I cannot comment on that particular issue. What I can say is that people should understand that the police would be enforcing traffic laws and other laws governing smuggling of goods, dangerous weapons, drugs and firearms," said Sgt Sibanda.

He appealed to members of the public and motorists to cooperate with the police to stop criminal activities and for their own safety.

"What we expect from motorists and members of the public especially travellers is that they should cooperate with the police when they are stopped at a roadblock. It is our duty as police to uphold the country's laws and police would always advise whoever they stop on the way about their intentions," said Sgt Sibanda.

"People are smuggling goods and other prohibited items and it is our mandate to enforce laws against that because the Govern-ment is losing a lot in potential revenue."