Truck Driver Flees Police Roadblock, Later Quits Job

A haulage truck driver allegedly abandoned his job after fleeing from police during a roadblock in Masvingo, where detectives recovered drugs worth more than US$5,000 from the vehicle.

Dzikamai Chimunda, 48, of Harare, is wanted by police after allegedly jumping from a moving truck and disappearing into nearby bushes when detectives ordered him to stop for a search.

The incident happened earlier this month near the Exor service station in Masvingo after detectives received information that Chimunda was allegedly transporting drugs. Police intercepted the Freightliner haulage truck, registration number AEG 5856, which is owned by Bindura Haulage and was travelling with two trailers.

According to police, detectives ordered Chimunda to pull over so they could search the vehicle. Instead, he allegedly accelerated and drove away at high speed. Chimunda later slowed the truck down, jumped from the moving vehicle and fled into a nearby bush. Detectives managed to bring the truck under control before it crashed into other motorists or caused further danger on the road. The driver, however, escaped and remains at large, with police continuing to search for him.

According to the Masvingo Mirror, Chimunda contacted his employers the following morning and allegedly told them that he was resigning from his job and had abandoned the truck in Masvingo. A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a substantial quantity of cough syrup and cannabis.

“A search was conducted into the vehicle leading to the recovery of 370 x 100ml bottles of Broncleer cough syrup, 120 x 100ml bottles of Astra cough syrup and approximately 20kg of dagga,” police said.

The discovery has raised concerns over the use of commercial haulage vehicles to transport illicit substances across Zimbabwe.

Police have not indicated whether anyone else connected to the haulage company has been arrested in connection with the alleged drug haul. The case comes as Zimbabwean law enforcement agencies continue to intensify efforts against drug trafficking and the movement of controlled substances through major transport routes. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe and police have repeatedly warned that possession, transportation and distribution of dangerous drugs can attract serious criminal penalties.

Police are appealing for information that could assist in locating Chimunda. The circumstances surrounding the alleged abandonment of the truck and subsequent resignation remain subject to police investigations. Chimunda has not yet appeared in court and remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Masvingo drug haul