News / Local
'Rape suspect bribe' nails senior public prosecutor
04 Dec 2015 at 05:43hrs | Views
POLICE have arrested an acting regional public prosecutor stationed at Bulawayo's Tredgold Magistrates court who allegedly demanded a bribe from a man who was accused of raping his daughter.
Vincent Shava was arrested during a sting operation after the suspect reported him to the police.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said investigations on the matter were underway.
"I can confirm that police are conducting investigations following the arrest of acting regional public prosecutor for Bulawayo Vincent Shava. He was arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office," said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He however, declined to disclose further details, saying he did not want to compromise investigations.
Sources alleged Shava had demanded a bribe claiming that he was responsible for convincing the man's daughter to withdraw the rape case.
"Shava is the one who handled the case when it came to court. A girl had accused her father of raping her. However, she withdrew the case as she admitted that she had lied that she was raped," said the source.
The source said Shava demanded $300 for 'his services'.
"The suspect paid $100 and was left with a $200 balance. Shava was pestering the suspect to give him the remaining money. The exonerated suspect reported the matter at Hillside Police Station," added the source.
The source said a trap was set for Shava on Wednesday afternoon leading to his arrest.
"The case was reported at Hillside peace intelligence where serial numbers for bank notes were recorded. The suspect handed the money to Shava in the city at about 1PM," said the source.
Prosecutors are agents of the Prosecutor General and represent the interests of the general public in the criminal justice system.
They also have a duty to act in a way that strikes a fair balance between the competing interests of convicting the guilty, protecting citizens' rights and freedoms and protecting the public from criminals
Shava's arrest come a year after his predecessor was arrested and jailed on similar allegations.
Admire Chikwayi, who was the regional prosecutor is serving an 18-month sentence for criminal abuse of office.
Chikwayi, 31, solicited a $300 bribe from a complainant in a fraud case.
Police used the same modus operandi to set a trap for Chikwayi.
Vincent Shava was arrested during a sting operation after the suspect reported him to the police.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi yesterday said investigations on the matter were underway.
"I can confirm that police are conducting investigations following the arrest of acting regional public prosecutor for Bulawayo Vincent Shava. He was arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of office," said Chief Supt Nyathi.
He however, declined to disclose further details, saying he did not want to compromise investigations.
Sources alleged Shava had demanded a bribe claiming that he was responsible for convincing the man's daughter to withdraw the rape case.
"Shava is the one who handled the case when it came to court. A girl had accused her father of raping her. However, she withdrew the case as she admitted that she had lied that she was raped," said the source.
The source said Shava demanded $300 for 'his services'.
The source said a trap was set for Shava on Wednesday afternoon leading to his arrest.
"The case was reported at Hillside peace intelligence where serial numbers for bank notes were recorded. The suspect handed the money to Shava in the city at about 1PM," said the source.
Prosecutors are agents of the Prosecutor General and represent the interests of the general public in the criminal justice system.
They also have a duty to act in a way that strikes a fair balance between the competing interests of convicting the guilty, protecting citizens' rights and freedoms and protecting the public from criminals
Shava's arrest come a year after his predecessor was arrested and jailed on similar allegations.
Admire Chikwayi, who was the regional prosecutor is serving an 18-month sentence for criminal abuse of office.
Chikwayi, 31, solicited a $300 bribe from a complainant in a fraud case.
Police used the same modus operandi to set a trap for Chikwayi.
Source - chronicle
