HARARE – A Harare pedestrian was struck and killed Friday by a speeding commuter omnibus whose driver lost control of the vehicle while tussling with two police officers who were trying to arrest him for operating illegally.
Angry onlookers who witnessed the drama were forced to met out instant justice on the overzealous cops who were later hospitalised for serious injuries sustained from the mob justice.
A passenger who was in the kombi when the incident happened also sustained injuries.
According to a leaked police memo seen by ZimLive, two police officers who were clad in full anti-riot gear were carrying out an unsanctioned operation against illegal kombi transport operators at a pick up spot in Highfield, Harare.
Police identified the now deceased pedestrian as 54-year-old Trymore Chinyamakobvu while the offending police officers were named as Constables Mapfumo J and Chimutanda Demetrius.
We reproduce the full police memo below.
FATAL INCIDENT INVOLVING POLICE REACTION GROUP DETAILS: ZRP MACHIPISA
Informant : Robert MUNETSI
NR: 75- 053956 K 75 Ag e: 46 years
Res: Glen Norah C, Harare
Deceased : Trymore CHINYAMAKOBVU
NR: 80-141014 M 80 Age: 54 years
Res: Unkonwn
Accused 1: 066910C Constable MAPFUMO J
NR: 66-068766 A 66 Age: 36 years
Res: 30337 Garikai Katanga Norton
Bus: ZRP Dzivarasekwa (attached to PRG)
Cell: 0773 047 219
2: 083205P Constable CHIMUTANDA Demetrius
NR: 59-2002367H67 Age: 33 years
Res: 5819 Retreat Park Waterfalls Harare
Bus: ZRP Glen View (attached to PRG)
Place of occurrence: Along Highglen Road near intersection of Mushayabhande Road
On 08 July 2022 at around 1140 hours, the two police officers who were on an unsanctioned deployment arrested a kombi driver [NFPK] who was driving a yellow Toyota Hiace vehicle registration number ACL 8384 belonging to Jonah MAFIRAKUREVA of house number 329 Kuwadzana, Harare for picking and dropping passengers at an undesignated point at the intersection of Highglen Road and Main Street, Highfield, Harare (Mapuranga). They were clad in police reaction group kit.
The kombi driver resisted arrest and wrestled with the police officers whilst the vehicle was in motion. During the scuffle, the vehicle veered of the road and hit Trymore CHINYAMAKOBVU who was walking by the roadside near the intersection of Highglen and Mushayabhande Roads. The vehicle went on to ram onto a pre-cast wall at Goodness and Mercy Ministries.
Trymore CHINYAMAKOBVU sustained head injuries and died on the spot while the informant Robert MUNETSI who was a passenger in the kombi sustained injuries on the chest and left leg. This prompted the mob to severely assault the two police officers.
A report was made at ZRP Machipisa. Scene was attended by ZRP Machipisa, ZRP Southerton Traffic and Harare South District Reaction Group. The body was conveyed to Sally Mugabe Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem. Next of kin is yet to be advised.
The two police officers sustained multiple injuries and are in a critical condition. They were referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital for treatment under guard. Robert MUNETSI was also referred to Sally Mugabe Hospital for treatment. His condition is stable.
Outstanding is to arrest driver of the kombi and jointly charge him with the two police officers for Contravening section 49 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 09:23 as read with section 64 of the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13:11,”Culpable Homicide”.
Investigations are in progress. ZRP Southerton Traffic RRB 5159431 refers.
