Kombi driver hits, drags, kills traffic cop at roadblock

A commuter omnibus driver who allegedly hit and dragged a police officer for 25 meters with his vehicle, killing him on the spot while speeding off a roadblock, yesterday appeared in court charged with murder.

Talent Mudzimba (24) of number 6997 Hatcliffe in Harare, was not formally charged when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Milton Serima.

He is facing murder charges and was remanded in custody to January 7 next year.

However, Mudzimba raised complaints against the police whom he said threatened him with unspecified action. "They threatened me with unspecified action because they said I caused the death of their colleague.

"They also subjected me to intense pressure so that my mind won't be clear when I say things," he said.

Mr Serima ordered prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa to investigate the complaints.

Mr Mutizirwa alleged that on December 23 this year, Mudzimba was driving a Toyota Hiace registration number ACZ 6420 along Alpos Road near Pomona Stone Quarry.

Mudzimba, who was carrying 17 passengers, was travelling due south and was signalled to stop at a roadblock by a police officer in uniform.

Mudzimba did not stop and proceeded to hit another police officer who was attending to another vehicle.

The police officer was dragged for 25 meters before being thrown to the side of the road.

He died on the spot.

Mudzimba has no qualification to drive a public service vehicle.