News / National
Clergyman arrested in high-speed chase
21 Sep 2011 at 07:17hrs | Views
IN a dramatic incident, a Reformed Church in Zimbabwe Reverend, was arrested at the weekend following a high speed chase with traffic police after he evaded arrest at two roadblocks.
On two separate occasions, Reverend Abiniel Shayawabaya (33) of Hatcliffe in Harare drove off from police at roadblocks after being told he was speeding.
Rev Shayawabaya also sped off from a police station after being arrested ignoring police warning shots.
He was later arrested while fleeing on foot after disembarking from his car. National Traffic deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, yesterday said the clergyman, who was driving an Isuzu
KB double cab, first drove off at a roadblock at the 40-km peg along the Harare-Bindura highway after being stopped for speeding.
"On September 17 at around 6pm, Mazowe Traffic enforcing team stopped the vehicle which was travelling at 91km per hour in an 80km/h zone.
"When the owner of the vehicle, who was driving towards Harare was informed of his charge, he took off at high speed and the police officers quickly alerted police from the National Highway Patrol who were carrying out enforcement duties along the same route," he said.
Asst Insp Chakanza said police officers from the National Highway Patrol stopped Rev Shayawabaya and on being advised of his charges, he again drove off at high speed.
"The police officers then informed police officers who were on duty at the 23km peg along the same route using a motor cycle. They (police) apprehended him and escorted him to Marlborough Police Station.
"On being handed over to the police station, he was ordered to park his vehicle behind the charge office," he said.
Asst Insp Chakanza said instead of parking his vehicle Rev Shayawabaya sped off at the police station heading towards the city centre.
Two policemen gave chase and fired three warning shots, but the Reverend would not stop.
"He was now driving past red robots and at times in the face of oncoming traffic. A police officer fired another shot intending to hit the right tyre of the vehicle but it hit the right front fender.
"The reverend could not be deterred by these warning shots and he continued towards the city centre," he said.
Other motorists, he said, intervened and blocked the Reverend's car.
He disembarked and started running away but was caught by the police.
"He was arrested and detained at Harare Central Police Station. Apart from his initial charges, the reverend is being charged for failing to comply with a lawful instruction given by a police officer and reckless driving," Asst Insp Chakanza said.
On two separate occasions, Reverend Abiniel Shayawabaya (33) of Hatcliffe in Harare drove off from police at roadblocks after being told he was speeding.
Rev Shayawabaya also sped off from a police station after being arrested ignoring police warning shots.
He was later arrested while fleeing on foot after disembarking from his car. National Traffic deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, yesterday said the clergyman, who was driving an Isuzu
KB double cab, first drove off at a roadblock at the 40-km peg along the Harare-Bindura highway after being stopped for speeding.
"On September 17 at around 6pm, Mazowe Traffic enforcing team stopped the vehicle which was travelling at 91km per hour in an 80km/h zone.
"When the owner of the vehicle, who was driving towards Harare was informed of his charge, he took off at high speed and the police officers quickly alerted police from the National Highway Patrol who were carrying out enforcement duties along the same route," he said.
Asst Insp Chakanza said police officers from the National Highway Patrol stopped Rev Shayawabaya and on being advised of his charges, he again drove off at high speed.
"The police officers then informed police officers who were on duty at the 23km peg along the same route using a motor cycle. They (police) apprehended him and escorted him to Marlborough Police Station.
"On being handed over to the police station, he was ordered to park his vehicle behind the charge office," he said.
Asst Insp Chakanza said instead of parking his vehicle Rev Shayawabaya sped off at the police station heading towards the city centre.
Two policemen gave chase and fired three warning shots, but the Reverend would not stop.
"He was now driving past red robots and at times in the face of oncoming traffic. A police officer fired another shot intending to hit the right tyre of the vehicle but it hit the right front fender.
"The reverend could not be deterred by these warning shots and he continued towards the city centre," he said.
Other motorists, he said, intervened and blocked the Reverend's car.
He disembarked and started running away but was caught by the police.
"He was arrested and detained at Harare Central Police Station. Apart from his initial charges, the reverend is being charged for failing to comply with a lawful instruction given by a police officer and reckless driving," Asst Insp Chakanza said.
Source - TH
