News / Local
Cops kidnappers get bail
29 Apr 2013 at 06:25hrs | Views
THREE members of a kombi crew who recently allegedly kidnapped two Bulawayo cops at knife-point and dumped them in a bush in the western suburbs have been granted $100 bail each.
Fani Mpofu (26), of 1094 Emakhandeni, Bornwell Sibanda (21), of 1808 Cowdray Park and Shelton Dewa (23), of 30122 Entumbane successfully applied for bail through their lawyer, Mr Costa Dube of Mcijo, Dube and Partners.
Regional magistrate Mr Collette Ncube ordered each of the three to reside at their given addresses, not to interfere with witnesses and to report twice a week on Mondays and Fridays at Luveve Police Station for Mpofu and Sibanda while Dewa would report at Entumbane Police Station.
Mpofu, Sibanda and Dewa will next appear in court on 7 May for start of trial.
The three have not been asked to plead to kidnapping Constables Silas Ndarachi (24) and Polite Sibanda (25), of ZRP Bulawayo Central Police Station on 5 April.
Mpofu is the driver of a kombi belonging to Kunaka Tours while Sibanda and Dewa are conductor and tout respectively.
The State led by Mr Robin Mukura would want to prove that on 5 April, Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda were on patrol in the city centre in the company of Constables Bright Manyika and Allan Makandira.
At about 10pm they spotted Mpofu, Sibanda and Dewa loading passengers at an undesignated point at the corner of Lobegula Street and 6th Avenue.
The court heard that the four policemen approached the kombi and Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda got into the vehicle and identified themselves as policemen.
They advised the accused that they were under arrest for loading passengers from an illegal point and touting.
Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda allegedly told Mpofu to comply with orders and drive to the police station.
The court was told that the three crew members closed the kombi doors and drove off along Luveve Road to Entumbane.
Mpofu allegedly drove into a bush near Entumbane Police Station where Sibanda allegedly drew an Okapi knife and threatened to stab the two policemen while Dewa pushed them out of the kombi.
The court heard that Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda, after being dumped phoned their colleagues who had already hired a taxi to make a follow-up.
Mpofu drove at high speed back to the city centre but was spotted by the four policemen who had already re-grouped.
They gave chase in the taxi and arrested the crew along 5th Avenue. The Okapi knife was recovered.
Fani Mpofu (26), of 1094 Emakhandeni, Bornwell Sibanda (21), of 1808 Cowdray Park and Shelton Dewa (23), of 30122 Entumbane successfully applied for bail through their lawyer, Mr Costa Dube of Mcijo, Dube and Partners.
Regional magistrate Mr Collette Ncube ordered each of the three to reside at their given addresses, not to interfere with witnesses and to report twice a week on Mondays and Fridays at Luveve Police Station for Mpofu and Sibanda while Dewa would report at Entumbane Police Station.
Mpofu, Sibanda and Dewa will next appear in court on 7 May for start of trial.
The three have not been asked to plead to kidnapping Constables Silas Ndarachi (24) and Polite Sibanda (25), of ZRP Bulawayo Central Police Station on 5 April.
Mpofu is the driver of a kombi belonging to Kunaka Tours while Sibanda and Dewa are conductor and tout respectively.
The State led by Mr Robin Mukura would want to prove that on 5 April, Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda were on patrol in the city centre in the company of Constables Bright Manyika and Allan Makandira.
At about 10pm they spotted Mpofu, Sibanda and Dewa loading passengers at an undesignated point at the corner of Lobegula Street and 6th Avenue.
The court heard that the four policemen approached the kombi and Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda got into the vehicle and identified themselves as policemen.
They advised the accused that they were under arrest for loading passengers from an illegal point and touting.
Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda allegedly told Mpofu to comply with orders and drive to the police station.
The court was told that the three crew members closed the kombi doors and drove off along Luveve Road to Entumbane.
Mpofu allegedly drove into a bush near Entumbane Police Station where Sibanda allegedly drew an Okapi knife and threatened to stab the two policemen while Dewa pushed them out of the kombi.
The court heard that Constables Ndarachi and Sibanda, after being dumped phoned their colleagues who had already hired a taxi to make a follow-up.
Mpofu drove at high speed back to the city centre but was spotted by the four policemen who had already re-grouped.
They gave chase in the taxi and arrested the crew along 5th Avenue. The Okapi knife was recovered.
Source - Courts
