CHASEFU MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR OVERPOWERING FEMALE POLICE OFFICER AND BOLTING WITH POLICE VEHICLE AT ROAD BLOCK

CHASEFU MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR OVERPOWERING FEMALE POLICE OFFICER AND BOLTING WITH POLICE VEHICLE AT ROAD BLOCK CHIPATA High Court has heard how a man sped off in a police patrol vehicle in Chasefu District, Eastern Province, after his motorbike was impounded at a check-point. Robert Mapili allegedly overpowered a female police officer who […]

CHASEFU MAN APPEARS IN COURT FOR OVERPOWERING FEMALE POLICE OFFICER AND BOLTING WITH POLICE VEHICLE AT ROAD BLOCK

CHIPATA High Court has heard how a man sped off in a police patrol vehicle in Chasefu District, Eastern Province, after his motorbike was impounded at a check-point.

Robert Mapili allegedly overpowered a female police officer who was in the vehicle while waiting for her colleague, who had gone to answer the call of nature in the bush.

The suspect appeared before Chipata High Court Judge Ketra Walubita for aggravated robbery.

He denied the charge.

During trial on Friday, a member of the neighbourhood watch in Chasefu, Cannan Manda, told the court that on the material day, he accompanied Inspector Kabwe Kazambe and Constable Martha Phiri on patrol on the Lundazi-Chama road.

He said the patrol team, which was using a Toyota Land Cruiser, later mounted a roadblock for routine checks.

Mr Manda said the accused refused to obey instructions from Inspector Kazambe, resulting in an altercation and the motorbike being impounded.

“The second motorbike was stopped and didn’t comply, and the officer got hold of the motorbike. He was pulling it back. I went near and put the engine off. He started exchanging words with the officer. He had two passengers,” Manda said.

Mr Manda said the owner of the bike, whose name was unknown at the time, proceeded with his journey on foot while his passengers went back.

He said when he did not return after some time, the officers sent him to buy drinks for them using the impounded motorbike, and when he returned, he found the police motor vehicle was gone.

“When I returned, I found Kazambe standing on the road. He told me that the vehicle had gone. The owner of the motorbike has gone away,” Mr Manda said.

He said using the motorbike, he followed in the direction the vehicle had driven.

Mr Manda spotted the police motor vehicle heading towards Malawi.

He said he gave chase and caught up with the vehicle after about seven kilometres.

He said he attempted to overtake the motor vehicle, but he was blocked for a stretch of over 19 kilometres before the suspect drove into the bushes and abandoned it.

Mr Manda said the suspect abandoned the vehicle with deflated tyres and a broken beacon light.

He allegedly abandoned an axe, a catapult, and slippers in the motor vehicle before he vanished into a graveyard and was never apprehended despite calling for reinforcement from neighbouring stations to help pursue the suspect.

Inspector Kazambe told the court that the accused overpowered his colleague, who had remained in the motor vehicle while he was answering the call of nature.

He said the accused attacked him with catapults before he drove away with the motor vehicle after attacking the officer with the same weapon.

Inspector Kazambe said the suspect drove away with the motor vehicle leaving the two officers helpless.

Trial continues.

ZDM