News / National
Traffic cop fatally knocked down at a roadblock
09 Jan 2013 at 21:34hrs | Views
A police officer stationed at Mwenezi Police Station was fatally knocked down by a bus belonging to Mega-Link Bus Company while manning a roadblock at the 77km peg along Masvingo-Beitbridge Road.
The incident, which was confirmed by national police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri, happened on Tuesday at around 4am.
He said the name of the now deceased was being withheld until his next of kin have been notified.
"I can confirm that we have received a report of a fatal road traffic accident which happened today (Tuesday) at dawn opposite Kalahari shop in Mwenezi District," said Supt Phiri.
He said the bus was heading towards Beitbridge when upon reaching a roadblock it knocked down the barrier.
"Police details from Mwenezi were manning a roadblock when a bus belonging to Mega-Links Company and driven by Patrick Mufudza allegedly failed to stop at the 77km peg. The driver failed to stop as per the instruction and subsequently hit one roadblock barrier resulting in a policeman being struck. The officers waved him to stop, but he failed to stop. The officer sustained serious injuries from the accident and was taken to hospital. The driver of the bus is assisting police with investigations," he said.
He said the injured officer was rushed to Neshuro Hospital where he was transferred to Masvingo General Hospital.
"He was taken to Neshuro Hospital, but his condition deteriorated and he was taken to Masvingo General Hospital where he died on admission. His body was taken to the mortuary for postmortem," he said.
Supt Phiri warned motorists against ignoring roadblock signs adding that they should stop until they are told to proceed by police details manning roadblocks.
"We urge all motorists to respect a 'Police Ahead' sign and not wait until they are waved down. The sign is a warning of a roadblock ahead and motorists should not ignore it. You can only proceed after you are told to do so by the police manning the roadblock," he said.
The incident, which was confirmed by national police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri, happened on Tuesday at around 4am.
He said the name of the now deceased was being withheld until his next of kin have been notified.
"I can confirm that we have received a report of a fatal road traffic accident which happened today (Tuesday) at dawn opposite Kalahari shop in Mwenezi District," said Supt Phiri.
He said the bus was heading towards Beitbridge when upon reaching a roadblock it knocked down the barrier.
"Police details from Mwenezi were manning a roadblock when a bus belonging to Mega-Links Company and driven by Patrick Mufudza allegedly failed to stop at the 77km peg. The driver failed to stop as per the instruction and subsequently hit one roadblock barrier resulting in a policeman being struck. The officers waved him to stop, but he failed to stop. The officer sustained serious injuries from the accident and was taken to hospital. The driver of the bus is assisting police with investigations," he said.
He said the injured officer was rushed to Neshuro Hospital where he was transferred to Masvingo General Hospital.
"He was taken to Neshuro Hospital, but his condition deteriorated and he was taken to Masvingo General Hospital where he died on admission. His body was taken to the mortuary for postmortem," he said.
Supt Phiri warned motorists against ignoring roadblock signs adding that they should stop until they are told to proceed by police details manning roadblocks.
"We urge all motorists to respect a 'Police Ahead' sign and not wait until they are waved down. The sign is a warning of a roadblock ahead and motorists should not ignore it. You can only proceed after you are told to do so by the police manning the roadblock," he said.
Source - TC
