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Midlands Bureau
A Gweru pirate taxi driver who sped off while a traffic police cop precariously clung to the bonnet  was yesterday fined $600 (or six months in jail) for his reckless act.
Tapiwa Mumvana, 27, of Senga, who was facing an attempted murder charge, was given an additional suspended three-year sentence by regional magistrate, Morgan Nemadire.

The suspended sentence is on condition that Mumvana exhibits good behaviour in the next five years.
Prosecuting Ndamukanei Chikuni said on 18 March this year at around 7AM, Mumvana was driving a Toyota Funcargo back hatch Registration number ACT 2771 when he stopped at an undesignated point along Lobengula Avenue in Gweru Central Business District to drop passengers.

Chikuni said Mumvana was approached by Const Tafara Tizai who was on bike patrol together with his colleague, Const Axian Muskwe.
Both officers were in police uniform.

The court heard that the accused person was told that he was under arrest for offloading passengers at an undesignated place.
Chikuni said Mumvana closed all his vehicle’s windows and reversed the car in a bid to escape.

She said the two officers ordered him to stop.
The court heard that Mumvana drove his car towards Const Tizai and hit his bicycle.

Chikuni said Const Tizai was forced to jump on the bonnet of the vehicle to avoid getting crushed and held on the car’s wipers for dear life.
She said the accused drove off at high speed along Third Street going towards Show grounds along Mvuma Road.

It is further alleged that Mumvana was driving his car in a zig-zag manner and applying sudden brakes as he tried to shake off the police officer from the bonnet.

Chikuni said Const Tizai kept on ordering the accused to stop but he did not comply.
She said Mumvana then drove towards a traffic circle near the Gweru Show Grounds and just after the grounds, Mumvana opened his window.

The police officer grabbed the chance, quickly went for the keys and turned off the engine.
He also removed the keys from the ignition and the car stopped.

Chikuni said the car had moved for a distance of about 1.5km with a uniformed police officer clinging on its bonnet.
She said the other police officer, Const Muskwe who was following on his bicycle arrived at the scene and helped the complainant to arrest Mumvana.

Const Tizai did not sustain any injuries.