Tinotenda Hove – A Harare traffic police officer lost part of his right ear after being attacked by a kombi crew who allegedly abducted him while he was on duty on Sunday.

Constable Shadreck Jongwe (36) was reportedly assaulted by the driver and conductor of a white Toyota Hiace, registration number AGJ 9866, after he stopped the vehicle for picking up passengers at an undesignated point along Robert Mugabe Road.

Police say Constable Jongwe and his colleague, Constable Chinhamo, were conducting routine traffic enforcement duties when they flagged down the commuter omnibus operated by Shepherd Kazingizi.
After instructing the driver to proceed to the Roadport parking bays to pay a fine, Kazingizi allegedly sped off with Constable Jongwe still inside the vehicle.

While the kombi was travelling towards Eastlea, the conductor, Takudzwa Pachavo (29), is accused of repeatedly assaulting the officer. During the attack, one of the suspects allegedly bit off part of Constable Jongwe’s right ear.

The injured officer was later dumped along Robert Mugabe Road near Rhodesville and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital for medical treatment. He has since been discharged.

Police said the swift intervention of the vehicle owner, Melisa Manon’ore, led to the arrest of both Kazingizi and Pachavo. The two suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.