Drunk, ‘Pirating’ Cop Bashes Passenger

Patience Nhamburo

A Zimbabwe Republic police officer who was operating an illegal intercity pirate taxi allegedly bashed and injured a female passenger after he refused to stop at her drop off point.  29-year-old Calm Kungusai picked up the complainant Nomsa Mabwe who was travelling to Harare on Monday in Kwekwe.

It is alleged that on arriving in Harare, Mabwe indicated that she wanted to be dropped off at the Vehicle Inspection Department depot in Belvedere, but Kungusai refused. He allegedly continued driving and stopped near the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show grounds.

Enraged by this, Mabwe removed keys from Kungusai’s car ignition and started walking back towards where she initially wanted to be dropped off. Kungusai, who was visibly drunk allegedly followed her and started assaulting her.
The police officer appeared before Harare Magistrate Joseph Mundondo facing assault charges.

He was granted RTGS$7000 bail and was remanded to September 15.