In a bizarre incident, a truck loaded with steel bars rammed into a police roadblock near Kwekwe and injured seven people including a police officer. The injured officer was among the police details who were manning the roadblock.
The truck’s brakes are said to have failed which resulted in a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. Several vehicles that had been stopped by the police were also extensively damaged.
The Deputy Officer Commanding Kwekwe District superintendent Kingston Mushawembiri confirmed the incident. He further revealed that the injured were taken to Kwekwe District Hospital.
On December 21 at around 2:35 PM, Luckmore Mbofana was driving a 7- tonne truck along the Harare –Bulawayo highway towards Kwekwe.
Upon approaching the 216-kilometre peg where there was a police roadblock, Mbofana whose truck was carrying steel bars, failed to stop the vehicle after its brakes failed.
… Constable Tonderai Dapira who was manning the roadblock was hit by drums and he sustained injuries on his left leg and bruises all over the body. He is admitted to Kwekwe Hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition.
We need the police on our roads all the time. Therefore this accident and the injury to the police officer is regrettable. However, many times I have seen what I thought was unprofessional manning of roadblocks. For example, Police stop vehicles in the middle of the road when there is enough space for motorists to pull off. This behaviour is already back again. Police sometimes do not coordinate traffic control at roadblocks. For example, one officer tells you to go, and another officer tells another motorist to go at the same time, and the two vehicles are facing each other in narrow space at the roadblock. Safety wise, I have seen the Police put themselves at risk by giving their back to oncoming traffic. Only a child should be so oblivious to dangers. Professionalism, clear procedures and safety are necessary in every process of work. Lastly, I wish the officer and others a speedy recovery.