Injured traffic cop dies in hospital

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A BULAWAYO traffic cop who was dragged on the tarmac for more than 100 metres by a speeding pirate taxi whose driver he wanted to arrest for loading passengers at an undesignated point on Tuesday, died at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday.

A BULAWAYO traffic cop who was dragged on the tarmac for more than 100 metres by a speeding pirate taxi whose driver he wanted to arrest for loading passengers at an undesignated point on Tuesday, died at Mater Dei Hospital yesterday.Cop-2

Richard Muponde Senior Reporter

A woman who answered his phone and only identified herself as his wife, said the police officer, whom Southern Eye only identified as Muchingwe, died at the Catholic-run hospital at about 3pm yesterday afternoon.

Muchingwe sustained injuries that led to his death after he jumped onto the pirate taxi’s front passenger door when the driver was fleeing from him at the corner of George Silundika Street and 12th Avenue on Tuesday around 5:20pm.

However, the driver of the white Toyota Premio-Corona, who was still on the run, did not stop, making it difficult for the cop to get his grip and was thrown off the vehicle when the driver turned into 12th Avenue.

He precariously held onto the passenger door with his whole body being dragged on the tarmac, before he was thrown onto the pavement along Fife Street a few seconds before the vehicle rammed into another, which was reversing.

Police could not be reached to comment on Muchingwe’s condition, but an official from Mater Dei had earlier yesterday confirmed that he was admitted at the intensive care unit ward, without revealing his condition.

The latest incident comes after another traffic police officer was injured on Monday when an unlicensed commuter omnibus driver sped from a roadblock dragging the officer, whose arm got trapped inside the vehicle while trying to snatch keys from the ignition.

Other police details had to use a brick to break the window and rescue their colleague.

The incident occurred along Luveve Road on Monday morning. The driver Sithulelwe Bhebhe (23) appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Temba Chimiso on Tuesday charged with reckless driving and driving without a licence. He was remanded in custody.