A Nkayi police officer who accidentally shot himself last week has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 after he was transferred to Bulawayo for surgery on his injured shoulder, CITE has learnt.
However, sources claimed the cop shot himself after finding out he had tested positive for the virus at Nesigwe Clinic.
He was later transferred to Nkayi District Hospital.
“He was admitted at the local Nesigwe clinic and was referred to Nkayi District hospital. An ambulance was dispatched to get him. He eventually at Nkayi district hospital and tested positive for Covid-19. It turns out that the reason he initially shot himself is that he had tested positive,” the source claimed.
In an interview with CITE, Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, dismissed claims that the police officer shot himself after learning he was positive for Covid-19.
Instead, she said the cop shot himself accidentally.
“He didn’t shoot himself but this was a case of an accidental discharge. When the police officer was diagnosed at Nkayi, he was found to be negative for Covid-19. It is only when he went for surgery at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo that he tested positive for Covid-19. But his status was negative when he was attended to in Nkayi,” Chief Inspector Makonese said.
The Chief Inspector said the police officer had injured himself on his shoulder and needed surgery.
“He hurt his shoulder from the accidental discharge, which was why he was to undergo surgery. As for his positive status, we can’t rule he was infected with Covid-19 when he arrived at Mpilo since at Nkayi he was tested and found to be negative,” Chief Inspector Makonese said.
She noted that since the case involved a police officer and Covid-19 was a national fight, National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, would also comment.
But when reached for comment, Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said he was “not aware” of the matter and was hearing it for the first time.
Mpilo Central Hospital`s Acting Clinical Director, Dr Xolani Ndlovu said the case is being handled by the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
UBH Clinical Director Dr Narcisius Dzvanga`s mobile phone was not being answered when sought for a comment.
As of July 26, 2020, Zimbabwe has 2 512 confirmed cases, including 518 recoveries and 34 deaths.
