Latest News Editor's Choice


News / National

Ex-cop unlawfully arrests doctor

by Fungai Lupande
16 Jun 2016 at 07:12hrs | Views
A FORMER police officer allegedly teamed up with his two friends and faked the arrest of Dr Taviza Maketa before demanding a $5 000 bribe.

The ex-police officer, Moses Nyavanhu (39), and his accomplices, Basil Kichima and Pluckxides Musiiwa, accused the doctor of buying a stolen suction machine.

A suction machine is used to remove fluids or mucus from the body's airways.

Nyavanhu yesterday appeared in court facing impersonating and extortion charges.

He is on $50 bail and magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe ordered him not to interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at his given address pending finalisation of the matter.

Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that on October 9, 2014 around 4pm, Nyavanhu, Kichima and Maketa confronted Dr Maketa at Glen View Medical Centre.

The trio produced police identification cards and introduced themselves as detectives from Harare Central Police Station.

It is alleged that they advised the doctor that he was under arrest for buying a stolen property – a suction machine.

They force-marched Dr Maketa into their green Toyota Ipsum and drove towards Harare's central business district.

It is alleged that along the way, the trio threatened the doctor with detention in police cells.

The court heard that the trio pressured the doctor into giving them money to free him.

Dr Maketa gave in to the demands and directed the trio to Pomona Food Court where they met his wife.

The wife brought with her $4 000 which was handed over to the trio and they demanded more money.

They proceeded to Barclays Bank Kurima House branch where the doctor withdrew another $1 000.

After handing over the money the doctor was dropped off at Jameson Hotel and the trio sped away.

Following investigations, Kichima was arrested and implicated Nyavanhu.

The fake police identification cards were recovered from him.

The doctor lost $5 000 and nothing was recovered.

Source - Herald