THE driver of a kombi that overturned and injured 16 passengers in February along Old Khami Road in Bulawayo after an overzealous police officer threw spikes to deflate its was on Thursday placed off remand after the investigating officer in the case failed to attend court several times. SILAS NKALA STAFF REPORTER
Nqobile Moyo (23) of Entumbane appeared before Western Commonage Court magistrate Temba Chimiso last week on Thursday and the State sought to place him on further remand saying the investigating officer was not present, but Chimiso declined.
“Further remand of the accused is refused and the case will proceed by way of summons,” Chimiso ruled.
It was not immediately clarified where the investigating officer was.
Moyo is facing charges of reckless driving, operating off route, driving without a defensive certificate, driving a commuter omnibus while under the age of 25 and driving a public service vehicle without medical endorsement.
It was the State’s case that on March 12 along Luveve Road in Bulawayo, Moyo drove a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus that plies the Bulawayo/Gwanda route, but diverted it to the Luveve-City Centre route. On realising there were police officers manning a roadblock at the Nguboyenja flyover bridge, Moyo allegedly connived with other commuter omnibus drivers to divert to the Khami Road route.
As they approached another police roadblock along Old Khami Road, the State said Moyo, who was leading other kombis, allegedly tried to avoid the spikes laid on the road in order to evade the police.
He lost control and the vehicle overturned landing on its side. Moyo and his 16 passengers sustained varying injuries.
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Four of the passengers sustained serious injuries and were admitted at Mpilo Central Hospital for about a month before being discharged after incurring varying medical expenses which the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is still compiling to file compensation claims against the police.
