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Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Reporter
A Bulawayo police officer allegedly caused an accident that killed one person while he and another passenger were hospitalised. Talent Masango, 22, from Mpopoma suburb died on the spot on Sunday afternoon when Moffat Ncube, allegedly demanding a $2 bribe, took hold of the steering wheel as the deceased was driving along Nketa Drive.

The vehicle overturned and Masango was thrown out of the car and died on the spot. The pirate taxi driver whose skull was allegedly cracked was travelling from D Square to Emganwini suburb.

Masango’s friend Brighton Mahlangu survived the accident with minor injuries and was rushed to United Bulawayo Hospitals. Ncube, who is stationed at Emakhandeni Police Station and was a passenger in the pirate taxi and in plain clothes was admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.

The Chronicle news crew visited the bereaved’s family home in Mpopoma suburb yesterday where his relatives were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. They described Ncube as a careless law enforcer whose greed had cost the life of their dear son.

“I still can’t stomach that my sister’s son died over $2 which he refused to give Moffat who was demanding a bribe after boarding the vehicle along Luveve Road at Mpopoma High School. My nephew died a painful death and all I’m asking is for Moffat to come get his $2 and give me back my son’s life and vehicle which is a now a write off,” said Lungile Ndiweni, Talent’s aunt.

“He survived the accident and could’ve easily escaped until we realised that he left his mobile phone which we used to track him. Moffat needs to think about replacing my car and son,” she said.

Talent’s mother was too weak to talk. “He was the only child that my sister had and we’re very bitter as a family, we can’t accept such behaviour from policemen,” said Ndiweni.

She alleged that she picked up Moffat’s phone in the vehicle’s wreckage which was used to track him to his house in Emakhandeni. “We also visited him at the hospital and when we got there he refused to say anything and we left him,” she said.

Mahlangu’s sister who declined to be named said his condition was stable though he was still in shock. “We’re still terrified as a family and we hope he’ll recover soon so he narrates what really happened as his friend is already dead. We pray that justice prevails against this police officer who caused the death of Talent,” she said.

A person who witnessed the accident said Ncube and Talent struggled for some moments before the former grabbed the steering wheel while the car was moving. “He also got hold of the hand brake and pulled it up and the car overturned and rolled thrice before Talent was thrown out through the window,” he said.

“The police officer immediately left the scene and went away leaving Talent who died on the spot and his friend behind.” National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba could not comment on the issue as she had not received information on it.