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Bongani Ndlovu Chronicle Correspondent
THE Officer Commanding Bulawayo Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Mutamba says police will come down hard on errant drivers who ignore police orders to stop at roadblocks.
The warning comes after a police officer, Sergeant Godsave Chingwe, died on Wednesday from head and chest injuries he sustained when a pirate taxi driver fleeing arrest, dragged him with the door of his vehicle for more than 100 metres before throwing him headlong onto the road.

The incident followed another on Monday whereby a police officer was injured along Luveve Road after an unlicensed under-age commuter omnibus driver sped from a roadblock, dragging the officer along with his arm trapped in the vehicle.

Snr Asst Comm Mutamba yesterday told Chronicle that police would not rest until the killer pirate taxi driver had been brought to book.

He said it was disturbing to see law enforcers being killed. “This is not the first time it has happened. As police we are deeply disturbed. We will arrest everybody who breaks the law or endangers the life of a police officer,” said Snr Asst Comm Mutamba. We have lost the life of a dedicated officer through the irresponsible actions of someone who knew they were on the wrong side of the law. I would like to warn motorists to stop and be fined if there is anything wrong with their vehicles or driving particulars.”

He said there was no reason to endanger police officers as motorists who felt they were treated unfairly at a roadblock had avenues to seek redress.

Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said: “Take down the force number of the officer and file a complaint at the nearest police station. We do not condone graft within our ranks and cases abound where corrupt officers have been arrested.”

The police chief said kombi operators, who employed drivers below the stipulated 25 years for public transport drivers, would face the full wrath of the law.

“If you employ an errant driver and he commits a crime, you will be charged as an accessory to the crime. It is time for every one of us to be responsible and respect the sanctity of human life,” he said.

Snr Asst Comm Mutamba said it was the mandate of the police to make sure Bulawayo was safe for every citizen but recent developments were making the city unsafe for officers.