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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A 42-YEAR-OLD truck driver who was ordered to drive back to Beitbridge Border Post for questioning is alleged to have deliberately rammed his vehicle into a tree, killing one passenger and seriously injuring two police officers on board. The accident occurred on Wednesday night in Matshiloni area, 40KM north of Beitbridge town.

The truck driver and the two police officers are battling for their lives at Beitbridge District Hospital.

Edmore Chidzambwa of Harare who is employed by Double Option Trading in South Africa was being escorted to the border post after he was intercepted near Bubi River for allegedly smuggling 35 tonnes of tiling adhesive from the neighbouring country.

Chidzambwa allegedly told the cops that he was going to ensure that they were involved in a head-on collision.

Police sources said yesterday that the value of the contraband was yet to be established.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nkosinathi Sibanda said they had since charged Chidzambwa with murder, attempted murder and smuggling charges.

“The suspect was intercepted at an anti-smuggling roadblock near Bubi River after he had earlier on refused to stop at another roadblock,” he said.

“Police officers manning the roadblock requested consignment documents and also told him that they wanted to search the vehicle but he refused indicating he could only produce the documents and have his vehicle searched in the presence of customs officers.”

Asst Insp Sibanda said Chidzambwa then agreed to go back to Beitbridge town in the company of two police officers who boarded his truck.

He said along the way Chidzambwa allegedly started speeding, telling the police officers that he wanted to cause a head-on collision and kill all the occupants in the truck.

Asst Insp Sibanda said the officers tried to restrain him to no avail.

Chidzambwa also allegedly refused to stop the vehicle at another road block.

“Along the way when they reached Matshiloni area, the suspect deliberately veered off the road and rammed the truck into a huge tree. Chidzambwa and the two police officers were thrown out of the truck while the other passenger died instantly.

“The now deceased was trapped in the vehicle and we had to engage Beitbridge Town Council emergency rescue team who used a metal cutter to retrieve his body” said Asst Insp Sibanda.

He said the injured were taken to Beitbridge District Hospital. Asst Insp Sibanda said the name of the deceased could not be released as the next of kin were yet to be contacted.