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Conductor gets 8 years for causing cop’s death

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A HARARE commuter omnibus conductor, Mike Madzimbamuto, was last Friday ordered to serve an effective six-year jail term for fatally pushing a police officer off a moving kombi.

A HARARE commuter omnibus conductor, Mike Madzimbamuto, was last Friday ordered to serve an effective six-year jail term for fatally pushing a police officer off a moving kombi resulting in him crash-landing on the tarmac road, leading to his death the following day.

CHARLES LAITON

The incident happened on October 20, 2010 at the intersection of Julius Nyerere Way and Robson Manyika Avenue in Harare where the deceased Ngororombe Dzova was among police officers controlling traffic in the central business district.

High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa had initially sentenced Madzimbamuto to eight years in jail, but suspended two years of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.

The court heard that on the fateful day, Madzimbamuto, of 19022 Unit L, Seke, Chitungwiza, pushed Dzova off a moving vehicle to evade arrest after the latter accused the kombi crew of parking at an undesignated point.

In his judgment, Justice Musakwa said a lengthy custodial term imposed on Madzimbamuto would deter other would-be offenders to desist from committing such offences.

The court further said Madzimbamuto’s actions leading to Dzova’s death depicted the ongoing hostilities between touts and the traffic law enforcement agents which must be brought to a halt.

The driver of the commuter omnibus, Samuel Muwomo, escaped arrest and still remains at large.

The court heard that on the day in question, Dzova was in the company of other police officers, sergeants Dyson Mhepo and Onias Chikanya, when they approached Muwomo while carrying out a clampdown codenamed Operation 100% Total Decongestion of the CBD at the intersection of Julius Nyerere Way and Robson Manyika Avenue.

Justice Musakwa heard that Dzova got into Madzimbamuto’s vehicle, a Toyota Hiace, in an effort to arrest Muwomo who suddenly drove off at high speed while Madzimbamuto pushed the police officer against the sliding door.

As the pushing continued, the door dislodged and fell into the tarmac, causing Dzova to sustain injuries on the head, nose and mouth. Dzova was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he died the following day.

Edmore Nyazamba represented the State.