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Elizabeth Tsuro Midlands Reporter
A POLICE officer is lucky to be alive after a driver from Masvingo allegedly hit him with his vehicle and attempted to run over him at a roadblock on Good Friday.

Elisha Chidhimiri, 26, from Mucheke Suburb in Masvingo was arrested after a high speed chase, about 31 kilometres from where he left the injured cop.

He allegedly took offence when officers at a roadblock asked him to hand over his licence along the Harare-Masvingo Road.

Gweru Magistrate Tayengwa Chibanda heard how Chidhimiri became uncooperative and drove straight at an officer who could not jump out of the way in time.

He sped off in his Toyota Granvia while passengers from a local church screamed in protest inside.

He allegedly smashed into the cop and drove for some distance with the hapless officer hanging onto the vehicle’s bonnet, before dragging him on the road.

Chidhimiri appeared on initial remand for attempted murder.

The magistrate did not ask him to plead and remanded him in custody to April 12.

Chibanda advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecuting, Lloyd Mavhisa told the court that on March 25 at around 4PM, Constables Bruce Chikwanda, Virukai, Gwandu and Mashaira stationed at Charandura Police Station, were deployed at the 222km peg along the Harare-Masvingo Road for roadblock duties under the command of Sergeant Rudhane.

The prosecutor told the court that Chidhimiri’s Toyota Granvia was loaded with passengers from Paul Mwazha Church.

“He was stopped by Cst Virukai who asked him to hand over his driver’s licence but he just flashed it from inside his car,” said Mavhisa.

“Chidhimiri engaged the drive gear and drove towards Cst Chikwanda, hitting him with his vehicle.”

The court heard that Cst Chikwanda hung onto the bonnet before the vehicle dragged him for some distance.

Mavhisa said the accused did not stop.

“Sergeant Rudhane jumped into a police vehicle and gave chase. He caught him near Mvuma, 31 kilometres away from the point of the incident,” said Mavhisa.

The court heard that Cst Chikwanda was rushed to St Theresa Hospital for treatment and the medical report was produced in court as evidence.

The extent of the police officer’s injuries and his condition were not disclosed in court.