Man Drives Off with Council Officers After Illega...

Man Drives Off with Council Officers After Illegal Parking Arrest

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Correspondent

A 23-year-old man from Mainway Meadows, Harare, has appeared in court facing charges of kidnapping and incitement after allegedly abducting Harare City Council officers who had arrested him for illegal parking.

Gift Nyadzawo stood before Magistrate Ethel Chichera at the Harare Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody pending further legal proceedings.

According to the State, represented by Prosecutor Polite Chikiwa, the incident occurred on September 12, 2024.

The complainant, accompanied by fellow council officer, had confronted Nyadzawo for parking his vehicle in an undesignated area. As part of their duties, the officers instructed Nyadzawo to drive them to the council’s Central Stores.

However, instead of complying, Nyadzawo allegedly drove in a different direction from the corner of Bute Street and Chinhoyi Street, heading towards the ZBC area. Upon reaching the Simon Mazorodze Flyover, he stopped the vehicle and alerted a nearby group of people, claiming he had council officers inside.

A mob, reportedly made up of touts and other individuals, gathered around the car and began assaulting the council officers with open hands, while Nyadzawo allegedly watched without intervening. The complainant suffered a swollen head, and their shirt was torn during the attack.

Nyadzawo was subsequently arrested and charged with kidnapping and incitement.