News / National
Taxi runs over Police bike
14 May 2014 at 07:35hrs | Views
A Masvingo policeman is lucky to be alive after a pirate taxi driver nearly ran over him while trying to evade arrest.
Farai Matute, 35, was stopped by two traffic police officers while picking up passengers.
Instead of complying, he drove at high speed towards one of the law enforcement agents who jumped off his bicycle and ran for dear life, leaving his bicycle at the mercy of the fleeing driver.
The bicycle which is valued at $200 was damaged beyond repair.
Appearing before Masvingo provincial magistrate, Sibonginkosi Mkandla on Monday, Matute of Mutimurefu Prisons pleaded not guilty to reckless driving.
He was however, convicted and sentenced to 11 months in prison.
Two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour and a further two months were suspended on condition that he restitutes $200 for the damaged bicycle.
For the State, Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa told the court that on May 8 at about 10.30 AM, Matute was driving a Toyota Ipsum in Masvingo's city centre.
His vehicle was spotted by two police officers, Constable Chineka and Constable Munhumumwe who were on patrol and they signalled him to stop in an attempt to arrest him as he was not authorised to pick up passengers.
Instead of complying, Matute reversed his vehicle and drove it straight towards Constable Chineka who jumped off his bicycle.
Matute was later arrested near 4.1 Brigade by police officers manning a roadblock and brought to court.
Farai Matute, 35, was stopped by two traffic police officers while picking up passengers.
Instead of complying, he drove at high speed towards one of the law enforcement agents who jumped off his bicycle and ran for dear life, leaving his bicycle at the mercy of the fleeing driver.
The bicycle which is valued at $200 was damaged beyond repair.
Appearing before Masvingo provincial magistrate, Sibonginkosi Mkandla on Monday, Matute of Mutimurefu Prisons pleaded not guilty to reckless driving.
He was however, convicted and sentenced to 11 months in prison.
Two months were suspended on condition of good behaviour and a further two months were suspended on condition that he restitutes $200 for the damaged bicycle.
For the State, Fidelicy Nyamukondiwa told the court that on May 8 at about 10.30 AM, Matute was driving a Toyota Ipsum in Masvingo's city centre.
His vehicle was spotted by two police officers, Constable Chineka and Constable Munhumumwe who were on patrol and they signalled him to stop in an attempt to arrest him as he was not authorised to pick up passengers.
Instead of complying, Matute reversed his vehicle and drove it straight towards Constable Chineka who jumped off his bicycle.
Matute was later arrested near 4.1 Brigade by police officers manning a roadblock and brought to court.
Source - chronicle
