Unlicensed Kombi driver kidnaps municipal cops

AN UNLICENSED 21-year-old commuter omnibus driver has landed himself in trouble after he allegedly kidnapped three Chitungwiza municipal traffic officers, who had arrested him for violating traffic regulations.

Tanaka Chibanda of Mayambara Village, Seke, who is employed by MuZion Transport, appeared before Chitungwiza resident magistrate Mr Francis Mapfumo and pleaded not guilty to the two offences of driving a public service vehicle without a valid driver’s licence and kidnapping.

He was remanded in custody to September 5.

In his defence, Chibanda told the court that he had a driver’s licence.

When asked to produce it, he handed a certificate of competency issued in 2014 bearing someone else’s details.

When the prosecutor, Mrs Ntombikayise Nleya-Mtolongwa, requested for his licence disc, Chibanda claimed that it was taken by an unnamed police officer.

Circumstances are that on August 16 this year, and at around 4.45am, Chitungwiza municipal officers Dorothy Magobola (45), Thobekile Sibanda (41) and Sibongile Mbawa (29) were on duty at Zengeza 2 Shopping Centre when they spotted Chibanda touting for passengers, while blocking the smooth flow of traffic.

Chibanda was arrested and instructed to drive to the town’s council head office.

The court claimed that Chibanda refused to comply and instead drove to Mayambara Village, with the officers on board.

Upon arrival, he allegedly parked his vehicle and started assaulting Magobola and Sibanda using a rope.

Mbawa reportedly bolted out of the vehicle, but Chibanda followed her, caught up with her and kicked her on the chest.

The skirmishes attracted the attention of a passing police officer, leading to Chibanda’s arrest.