A police officer based at Ngabu Police Post in Chikwawa has died after a reversing motor vehicle ran over him.

He has been identified as Sub Inspector Gresham Chipeta, aged 49.

Chipeta was among police officers who were deployed to maintain public order at Gwirawekha Cattle ranch where its workers have been rioting over their pension money.

Sensing danger from the irate workers, one of the farm drivers wanted to rescue the vehicle from being smashed; while reversing, he hit the police officer from behind and ran over him.