Cop, neighbourhood watch member rob couple at gun point

A police officer, who reportedly connived with a neighbourhood watch committee member and robbed a Harare couple of US$2 500 and some valuables at gun point, has appeared in court.

Lewis Teera (39), who is stationed at Mabelreign police camp, is jointly charged with Delish Ngwaya (29), a police constabulary at the same station.

It is alleged that Teera had a misunderstanding with Peter Balakazi after accusing him of side-swiping his vehicle before Ngwaya joined in and grabbed his wife's handbag.

The pair denied the robbery charges before regional magistrate Mr Rogers Kachambwa who remanded them in custody to today for trial.

Prosecutor Mr Allan Goche alleged that on July 15 and at around 10pm, Balakazi who was in the company of his wife, Rejoice Muzondo, was driving along the Harare-Bulawayo Road.

It is alleged Balakazi stopped at a red traffic light near Warren Park turn-off before Ngwaya parked his vehicle, a BMW next to him.

Ngwaya, Mr Goche alleged, started accusing Balakazi of having side-swiped his vehicle.

Mr Goche said Ngwaya blocked Balakazi's vehicle and the two disembarked from their vehicles and an altercation ensued.

As the two were quarrelling, Teera suddenly arrived at the scene and parked his vehicle, a Toyota Sprinter, behind Balakazi's vehicle, it is alleged.

Teera disembarked from his vehicle and proceeded to Balakazi's vehicle and confronted his wife.

He produced a pistol and threatened to shoot her before snatching her handbag which was on her legs.

The handbag contained US$2 500 cash and valuables worth US$254.

After robbing the couple, Mr Goche alleged, Teera and Ngwaya jumped into their vehicles and sped off towards Kuwadzana.

The couple gave chase, but to no avail.

They made a police report which led to the arrest of the two, but nothing was recovered.

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