A police officer accidentally shot and injured his colleague in Masvingo on Tuesday while attempting to unload a firearm they had seized from a civilian.
Reports indicate that Constables Sam Nyambuwa and Masendure tracked down the man who was seen carrying a pistol in Rujeko, suspecting him to be a criminal. A NewZimbabwe.com source said:
They were off duty when they noticed one Chengetai Musiyarira was carrying a firearm in his pocket and they suspected him of being an armed robber. They then trailed him as he walked about in the neighbourhood.
The two officers then caught up with Musiyarira and they asked to search him. He complied and headed over the gun to Constable Masendu.
Masendu accidentally discharged the firearm as he was unloading it and the shot hit his colleague below the abdomen, who had to be rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for treatment.
National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.