By Lerato Ndlovu
The accidental death of the late Chinhoyi Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer Sergeant Freddy Chipato has deepened with claims that his death was result of juju.
Uncornfirmed reports doing rounds in Chinhoyi after his burial last Saturday are indicating that Chipato’s imminent death was as a result of juju from one of the taxi drivers that he had failed to negotiate with some days before his passing.
The claims are that a clay pot with the late’s name and eggshells were found at a crossroad raising suspicions that black magic had been used to inflict harm on him.
While Shona culture states that it is humane to mourn with the bereaved, the death of Chipato carried a different story.
Chinhoyi taxi drivers and touts reportedly celebrated the death of sergeant Chipato who was alleged to be in the habit of demanding hefty bribes from motorists.
Chipato died on the spot while clearing traffic on the Harare-Chirundu highway for the First Lady’s motorcade after colliding head-on with a Toyota Altezza.
Chipato who normally moved with his colleague Sgt Tapesa showed no mercy to drivers by abusing the road signs, driving recklessly and breaking Covid-19 guidelines.
In some local groups the drivers and touts stated that they were now at peace on the road because the notorious team Chipato and Tapesa have been humbled with the death of one.
“Who knew that freedom will come so quickly for us, the terrible two is no longer terrible with one missing, Tapesa will not control the town on his own we can now freely pirate without fear of being arrested for illegal transportation, team rinoonererwa iroro zvisingaite,” said one motorist who only identified himself as Joe.
Some who had personal relations with him talked of how serious he would be when at work and different when in civilian clothing.
“Chipato was the worst of the two aida mari zvisingaite hapana asina kugumhiwa naye pateam reMshika Shika, ever serious and hard to talk to when in uniform but friendly when in civilian clothing.
“The tag team made it seem like they were the only two officers in town riding on their bikes going around even in locations and at times you would see them in Lionsden, Chegutu, Murombedzi and Banket doing the same, just hearing the sound of the bike you would know you are in trouble even if they don’t talk to you,” said some drivers.
Another added, “a few drivers in the CBD can tell you that they had never been arrested but those guys made us know the smell of a police station.”
“It is confusing whether I should celebrate or be sad over his death, because of what we go through with the team, but I can feel for Tapesa for his now alone, that team worked like they were raised by the same mother, everyone in Chinhoyi knows them by name.”
