According to sources, the suspect ordered the detectives who had arrested him to lie down before he fled. Some of the officers who heard a gunshot from a distance were also left scurrying for cover.

The incident occurred on Sunday at about 3pm near the main entrance of the police station.“The police had received a tip-off from a local woman who had spotted the firearm.

They (police) then descended on the suspect and ordered him to drive to the police station under police escort,” said the source.
On arrival at the police station, a thorough search was conducted but police could not find the firearm.

“However, during the process, the suspect quickly picked a small bag which the unsuspecting police officers had failed to notice, from which he pulled out a pistol.

“He then ordered the detectives to lie down on their stomachs before he fired one shot in the air and in the process one of the officers plunged into a pool of water on a drainage system as he ran for dear life.”

The suspect took advantage of the commotion and managed to escape, leaving his car, a South African registered Golf bearing Gauteng number plates.

The suspect is still at large and police have since launched a manhunt. It is believed that the suspect, who is working in South Africa, had smuggled the pistol into the country during the Easter holidays.

Under normal circumstances the detectives were supposed to first arm themselves before conducting the search.

It is however understood that on the fateful day, the police officers had failed to locate the keys to the safe where they keep their firearms.

Of late there has been an increase in the number of robberies occurring along the main highways. A number of unsuspecting motorists continue to fall prey to syndicates who target motorists and those resting at lay-byes.

Local senior police officers confirmed the incident, but refused to comment, referring all questions to Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe.

Insp Dzirutwe, however, also declined to comment, saying he was yet to receive a detailed report from the border town.

Recently four police officers based in Lupane lost consciousness when they were severely assaulted by a suspect they intended to arrest.