A suspected vehicle smuggler from Malawi escaped right in front of four police detectives stationed at Beitbridge, and the officers will now face disciplinary action as a result.
District Criminal Investigations Officer for Gwanda Chief Superintendent Artwell Magamba declined to confirm or deny the incident, instead referring enquiries to the Matabeleland South Press and Liaison office.
However, reliable sources from within claim that the four are subject to internal disciplinary measures. It is understood that the suspect was among several individuals detained at the border post for allegedly smuggling a Honda Fit vehicle that was purportedly on its way to Malawi.
“On January 19, 2024, just before midnight, the suspect was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Department for further management,” the source stated.
As soon as the team arrived at the station they were instructed to attend a scene elsewhere and they left a female officer guarding the suspect together with two other accused. She was reportedly soon engrossed on social media platform TikTok and the suspect took his chance, held his mouth as if wanting to vomit and stealthily left the lady and two other suspects in the charge office.
After realising that the suspect had fled she informed her team which immediately raided a place known to harbour Malawian nationals in Dulibadzimu. As they arrived, the suspect saw their car and melted into the night, and all they were told was that he had disappeared as soon as he had seen them approach the house.
The officers will reportedly be charged with Contravening Section 20 of the Police Act which deals with releasing of persons from custody without proper authority or by any wilful act or negligence.
The accused officers have been named as Detective Sergeants Gobvu and Shumba, as well as Detective Constables Ncube and Nyavanhu who all were remanded to February 7 for continuation of their disciplinary hearing.
The detectives have reportedly, since been released from custody.