By James Gwati- Police in Bulawayo has declared war against Mushikashika operators following the bashing of a team of traffic cops by kombi drivers early this week.

The war was declared by Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube who said they were now hunting for the kombi drivers who assaulted his collegues.

“This is not just an attack on police officers, but on the entire Zimbabwe Republic Police and Government. It’s a behaviour that will not be tolerated and it would be in the best interest of those involved to hand over themselves to the police before the long arm of the law catches up with them,” he said.

According to Inspector Ncube the beaten Police officers were conducting routine patrol at 6th Avenue extension where pirate kombis operate from.

“When kombi crews spotted our officers, they sped off resulting in one of the drivers hitting another vehicle,” he said.

“The driver of the kombi, which was hit, pursued the driver of the offending kombi as he drove along Herbert Chitepo Street, towards 1st Avenue. Police also chased after the same kombi and upon reaching 5th Avenue intersection, the kombi driver caused another accident leading to his arrest.”

Insp Ncube said the kombi drivers and touts immediately attacked police officers as they demanded the release of their colleague.

“That is when an unknown object was used to attack the police vehicle, smashing its window screen. This is a regrettable incident which is unexpected of Bulawayo residents,” he said.