MILLICENT HUNGWE
A daring anti-smuggling operation by the Police turned deadly in Mutare on October 16, as they intercepted a MAN rigid truck loaded with smuggled second-hand clothes, sparking a shootout that left Admire Sibabda dead while others were arrested.
According to a press release in possession of The Midweek Watch national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the shootout happened at around 5:30 a.m. along Vumba Road when cops flagged down the truck, registration number AFG 7429.
However, the driver sped off, prompting a chase, Admire Tawanda Sibanda (40), who was driving an escort vehicle, a silver Toyota Mark X (AFY 1037), opened fire on the police, leading to a fierce shootout.
Sibanda who was driving a Toyota Mark X was shot in the neck and succumbed to his injuries en route to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
Nyathi said the police vehicle, a Mahindra, was damaged, with two bullet holes on the front left fender.
After a high-speed chase, Phillimon Matiyashe (32), Tawanda Chafanza (33), and Owen Wenjere (29) were apprehended and arrested.
The police recovered 104 bales of second-hand shoes and 138 bales of second-hand clothes from the truck.
The Police issued a stern warning to smuggling syndicates against engaging in violent confrontations with law enforcement agents.
