Kombi driver strangle a policewoman to evade arrest

A kombi driver who allegedly kidnapped and assaulted a policewoman who was trying to arrest him for driving without a licence has been remanded in custody.

Ian Magwidi (26) allegedly strangled the cop to evade arrest. He appeared before Mbare magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje charged with kidnapping and assaulting a police officer.

He was not asked to plead.

Mr Mambanje remanded Magwidi in custody to November 22 for trial.

Prosecutor Mr Mirirai Mavemwa told the court that on Monday this week, the policewoman was on duty at a roadblock along Simon Mazorodze Road.

The police arrested Magwidi for traffic offences.

He was ordered to pay a spot fine but refused and the vehicle was impounded.

The cop advised Magwidi to escort her to Mbare Police Station. Mr Mavemwa alleged that Magwidi indicated that he did not want to go to the police station when they reached the intersection of Remembrance Drive and Simon Mazorodze. His conductor, the court heard, tried to stop Magwidi who ignored him. This led the conductor to jump out of the moving vehicle.

Magwidi allegedly stopped the vehicle, seized the policewoman by the neck before pushing her out of the vehicle.

She fell off the kombi and was rendered unconscious after sustaining neck injuries.

Magwidi sped off.