Kombi driver kidnaps police officer
By Liberty Dube
MUTARE – A daring kombi driver who was last week caught carrying passengers from an undesignated place, kidnapped a police officer and threatened to kill her.
Police said a manhunt has been launched to bring to book Tavonga Tours driver, Innocent Musongeya, who allegedly kidnapped Constable Elda Binduko (27) before vanishing.
He dumped the vehicle in Nyakamete Industrial Area.
It is alleged that last Tuesday at around 11am, along Third Street, Musongeya who was driving a Toyota Hiace ACE 6051 was spotted picking people along Second Street. He sped off after noticing that police were after him.
Cst Binduko gave chase and caught up with him at Quest Motors where he had stopped to drop off passengers.
“Musongeya was arrested and Cst Binduko got into the kombi and ordered him to drive to Mutare Central Police Station. Upon arriving outside the police station, she instructed him to switch off the car engine and disembark. Musongeya suddenly reignited the car engine and sped off. He hit another car in the process.
“He drove towards Aerodrome Road with Binduko on board,” said Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Enock Chishiri.
Cst Binduko repeatedly ordered Musongeya to stop, but he could not comply. He allegedly threatened to kill her or take her to Mozambique.
“When Cst Binduko realised that she was being taken out to an unknown destination, she drifted to the passengers seat besides the driver and again ordered him to stop. She also attempted to make a phone call before Musongeya allegedly snatched the cellphone and threw it outside.
“As the duo approached Mupfumi Bus Garage, Cst Binduko ordered Musongeya to slow down before a pedestrian, Jacob Dhliwayo, sensing danger followed and intercepted him. This forced Musongeya to stop. Having realised that he was cornered, Musongeya jumped off the vehicle and fled,” said Insp Chishiri.
He urged motorists to adhere to the rules and regulations tabled in the Road Traffic Act as well as respecting police officers deployed in respective places around the province.
“We will arrest anyone who believes that he is above the law. This cunning behaviour is unacceptable and we urge members of the public with information leading to the arrest of Musongeya to contact their nearest police station,” he said.
