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Acting police spokesperson for the  Midlands province, Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the incident occurred on Tuesday night at the 120km peg along the Kwekwe-Gokwe Road.
Asst Insp Mahoko said one of the suspects, Innocent Sibanda whose age was not given is a friend to the South African policeman.
“On Tuesday night, the victim, a 27 year-old    South African male police officer was driving his Mazda 3 sedan with registration numbers   BCA 281 ND along the Kwekwe-Gokwe Road in the company of

his Zimbabwean friend, Prince Sibanda,” he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko said while on their way to Gokwe, the South African then asked Sibanda to drive while he took some rest.

“After driving for about three kilometres, two unknown male adults who were working in cahoots with Sibanda stopped the car while pretending to be genuine hitch-hikers.
Sibanda then stopped the car and picked   up his accomplices before they drove off,” he  said.
“After driving for some few kilometers,      Sibanda then stopped the car after which he     and his accomplices started assaulting the South African policeman while dragging him out of the vehicle.”

Asst Insp Mahoko said after dragging the victim outside his car, the three suspects who still at large went on to assault him with open hands and booted feet until he lost consciousness.
“They then dragged him by the roadside before they drove away leaving him lying unconscious. The South African was then picked up by a motorist who was passing by who took him to Gokwe District

Hospital where he is still receiving treatment,” he said.

Asst Insp Mahoko appealed to members of the public with information that might assist in the arrest of Sibanda and his accomplices to report to any nearest police station.
“Police have launched a manhunt for the three suspects who are still at large. Members of the public with information that might lead to the suspects’ arrest can also make use of our suggestion boxes,” he said.