By Terrence Mawawa, Masvingo|Police in Chivhu last week brutally assaulted a commuter omnibus operator, leaving him for dead.
Munyaradzi Burawa, a Chivhu based operator sustained serious head and facial injuries following a police raid in the town. Burawa is battling for his life at Chivhu General Hospital following the violent attack on him by the police.
Cases of road operators being physically abused by the police have been on the increase with members of public calling on the ZRP to stop such uncouth actions.
Burawa was assaulted by three police officers at a roadblock along the Chivhu-Murambinda road last Sunday. The cops were identified as constables Zowa,Munyuki and Mangwana respectively. Eyewitnesses said Burawa was driving his Toyota Hiace vehicle towards Nharira to drop off members of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe when he was stopped by the police.
“The police stopped Burawa and solicited for money but he told them he only had $5.The police the forcibly took the vehicle keys and they began to assault him. During attack he lost consciousness,” said Amos Tipedzi who witnessed the incident.
Dr Alice Kanyemba of Chivhu General Hospital confirmed the incident and said she attended to someone who had been assaulted by the police.
Chivhu District Police Superintendent responsible for crime Lameck Mutetwa said:”Police are carrying out investigations into the matter. We are yet to establish what really transpired. We have heard such a report,” he said.