Cop killer gunned down in Zimbabwe

by Staff reporter

2013 January 13 09:01:17 | 4174 Views

Police yesterday shot dead the suspected armed robber who allegedly killed a detective while trying to avoid being arrested for carjacking in Harare last Wednesday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said the suspect - former police sergeant Takesure Dumba - died in a shootout with detectives in Mount Darwin.

She said Dumba was dismissed from the force for corruption last year.

"We received information that Takesure Dumba was in Mount Darwin where he was hiding in one of the villages in the area," she said.

"On Friday, a team of detectives went to a house that had been identified."

Asst Comm Charamba said Dumba shot at the approaching detectives who responded by shooting him in the shoulder.

She said he continued firing shots and escaped.

Five additional police units, including the dog section, were subsequently dispatched from Harare on the same day, she added.

"Upon arrival, the units cordoned off a five-kilometre area and searched for Dumba for the entire night.

"Dumba was hiding along the banks of a river, shielding himself away from the wind direction so that the dogs could not pick his scent.

"The units finally saw him at around 1300 hours (yesterday). They ordered him to surrender, but he then opened fire, leaving them with no option but to fire back. Dumba was shot all over the body."

Dumba was alleged to have killed Detective Assistant Inspector Thadius Chapinga of the Vehicle Theft Squad after he had been arrested for carjacking last Wednesday.

It is believed Asst Insp Chapinga was taking him to a police station when a fight ensued, leading him to shoot the detective.

Asst Insp Chapinga was buried at his rural home in Bikita yesterday.

Meanwhile, a Hurungwe police officer and a neighbourhood watch committee member have been jailed for six years each after being convicted of armed robbery.

Constable Chrispen Chirodzero (39) of Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit and Joseph Chirewo (32) of the Hurungwe neighbourhood watch committee were jointly sentenced with accomplices Francis Mupumape (29), Knowledge Petros (32) and Tichaona Mubatapasi (26).

Gokwe-Kwekwe regional magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo, however, suspended three months of each of the prison terms on condition they restitute funds for the stolen goods.

He also suspended nine months on condition of good behaviour.

In addition, Mr Mbobo acquitted Susan Sithole (36), who had been implicated in the case.

It is the State's case that on July 20 last year, Chirodzero and three other police officers were deployed to Chivende Cottco depot in Hurungwe to guard the depot and also escort Cottco personnel during cash transfers. Chirodzero received an AK-47 service rifle for use during the course of his duties.

On August 10, he connived with Chirewo and three other accomplices to steal the rifle, which they then used to rob illegal vendors and gold panners at Vhenda Mine.

On the day in question, Chirodzero and Chirewo, who were both wearing service uniforms, and their colleagues descended on the mine.

Chirodzero fired three "warning" shots while Chirewo beat the vendors and panners using a baton.

The gang got away with bicycles, clothes, electrical appliances and groceries worth US$2 837.

They were later arrested after a police report was made.

Mr Robert Ndlala prosecuted.

Shoot dead Cop killer Gunned

Source: SM