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Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
A POLICE officer is battling for life at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after he was abducted and heavily assaulted by a kombi crew on Saturday. The driver and the conductor, who are still at large, allegedly bashed the cop with a wheel spanner leaving him for dead. The officer had stopped a commuter omnibus that had no registration plates and was picking up passengers at an illegal point along Fort Street in the city centre.

Sources said he got into the vehicle, ordered passengers to disembark and told the crew to drive to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

The police officer whose identity was not revealed incurred serious head injuries, which national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said could result in brain damage.

“I can confirm receiving a report on the kidnap and assault of a police officer and investigations are underway,” he said.

Police are appealing to members of the public who had information that could lead to the arrest of the driver and the conductor to notify their nearest police station.

“Two police officers who were conducting their duties in the city centre along Leopold Takawira and Fort Street identified an unregistered white Toyota Hiace which was picking up passengers at the undesignated point.

“The two officers approached the kombi driver and conductor who have committed several offences including the fact that the vehicle was not registered,” he said.

The police officers arrested the driver and the conductor, instructing them to go to Bulawayo Central Police Station.

“The police officer got into their vehicle and instead of them going to Bulawayo Central Police, they kidnapped the officer and headed to Stanbic Bank in Belmont where they then heavily assaulted him with a wheel spanner,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

He said the suspects then threw the unconscious cop out of the vehicle and sped off.

“The names of the two men who assaulted the police officer were not established. We’re appealing to anyone with information that may lead to their arrest to contact the nearest police station.

“We’re warning the public not to board unregistered vehicles at any time and any point. We also warn them not to board vehicles at undesignated points as most of these drivers cause trouble on the roads,” said Chief Supt Nyathi.

“Police will not stand by and allow anyone to disturb police officers in carrying out their duties.

“That is a serious offence. People should follow the law and avoid being caught on the wrong side.”