A routine traffic enforcement operation in Rhodesville, Harare, descended into shocking violence after a police officer lost his right ear when he was assaulted and kidnapped by a kombi driver and his conductor.
Constable Shadreck Jongwe (36) sustained the gruesome injury on Sunday after being attacked by Shepherd Kazingizi (35) and Takudzwa Pachavo (29), both from Ruwa. Jongwe was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.
The incident occurred while Jongwe and fellow officer Constable Chinhamo were on duty enforcing traffic laws. They stopped Kazingizi, who was driving a white Toyota Hiace (AGJ 9866), for picking up passengers at an undesignated point.
Jongwe boarded the kombi to escort it to Roadport Police Post so the driver could pay a fine, while Chinhamo remained behind to manage traffic.
However, instead of complying, Kazingizi allegedly sped off with Jongwe still inside, driving eastwards along Robert Mugabe Way.
During the forced ride, the officer was allegedly severely assaulted, with Pachavo raining blows on him using open hands and clenched fists. In a particularly brutal act, one of the suspects allegedly bit off Jongwe’s right ear.
The injured officer was later dumped along Robert Mugabe Avenue near Rhodesville, leaving him badly hurt.
The two suspects were later arrested following the intervention of the vehicle’s owner, Melisa Manon’ore.
Reacting to the incident, a kombi conductor at Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus, who identified himself only as Nyamudzanga, condemned the attack.
“I suspect they were under the influence. You never win a battle with the police,” he said. “Their actions are reckless and will only worsen relations between law enforcement and kombi drivers.”
Police investigations are ongoing as the suspects face serious charges related to assault and kidnapping.
