A commuter omnibus, commonly known as a kombi, crashed into a tree in Marimba, Harare, after its driver jumped out to evade police arrest.
The incident involved passengers and police officers who were escorting the kombi to the station following a traffic violation.
According to police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the kombi, with registration number ACQ 1884, was traveling along Hean Road towards the High Glen Road turn-off when the incident occurred, as detailed in a Friday statement.
Witnesses captured the chaotic scene on their phones, and the footage has since gone viral on social media, prompting much speculation about the events leading up to the crash.
Nyathi explained that the police from ZRP Marimba had initially stopped the driver for violating the Road Traffic Act.
The driver was arrested, and the vehicle was impounded.
Later, a police vehicle arrived to pick up the officers who had completed their patrol.
The kombi driver was instructed to proceed to Marimba Police Station with two officers inside, while a police vehicle followed behind.
As the kombi moved, the driver unexpectedly leaped from the vehicle, causing it to crash into a tree.
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He then fled the scene, leaving the passengers in a state of panic.
Following the crash, police officers transported the damaged kombi back to ZRP Marimba, where they collected statements from passengers and witnesses.
The owner of the kombi, Loverage Chikwape, 50, from Kuwadzana Extension in Harare, later denied knowing who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
In light of the situation, Nyathi urged kombi operators and their crews to help maintain law and order.
“There is no reason whatsoever for any kombi driver to be reckless and openly cause an accident while being escorted to a police station with officers and passengers inside,” he stated.
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