A BULAWAYO-based omnibus driver has been arrested on charges of inciting touts to assault a police office after he was apprehended for dropping passengers at an undesignated place in the city.
BY SILAS NKALA
Sikhumbuzo Mafu yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge of failure to comply with an order from a police officer when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Sheunesu Matova. He was granted $50 bail.
It is the State’s case that on October 10 this year, Sergeant Paul Chiseko of Bulawayo Central Traffic Police, Constable Marko Munsaka, Constable Zibako and others were on duty under operation code named “Mota ngadzive nemapepa”.
While at the corner of Herbert Chitepo Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue, they allegedly saw Mafu offloading passengers at an undesignated point. Munsaka approached him and identified himself as a police officer.
Chiseko boarded the commuter omnibus and instructed Mafu to drive to Ross Camp. Instead, the accused drove to Egodini terminus. It is alleged that on arrival at the terminus, the accused mobilised touts and drivers who assaulted the police officer with fists. The crowd joined in before Chiseko escaped.
In his defence, Mafu said on the day in question he heard a loud sound at the back of the vehicle only to see Chiseko violently and forcefully gaining entry into the commuter omnibus through the rear window.
He claimed that there were passengers in the commuter omnibus whom he wanted to drop at Egodini terminus.
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“I asked him what was he doing and he said I was under arrest without informing me of the basis of the arrest. He then told me to drive to Ross Camp which I did,” he said.
Mafu denied driving at a high speed, failing to adhere to police instructions and assault. He prayed for the dismissal of the charges.
