Cop in court for demanding bribe

A Filabusi policeman who allegedly demanded a $1 000 bribe to release a suspect from police cells landed himself in trouble after the plan flopped and the suspect was jailed 18 years.

Constable Goodluck Gumbo (35) yesterday appeared before Gwanda magistrate Ms Sheila Nazombe to answer to a charge of bribery.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody on his own cognisance to today.

The State alleges that on 2 January, Gumbo was assigned to investigate a case of stock theft involving  Rayton Ndlovu from Sanali area in Filabusi.

On 4 January, he arrested Ndlovu who was detained in police cells and compiled his docket for court.

It is alleged that Gumbo kept Ndlovu's cellphone instead of taking it for safekeeping.

The court heard that Gumbo smuggled the cellphone into the cells so that Ndlovu could use it.

It is alleged Gumbo told Ndlovu to phone his relatives and look for $1 000 to facilitate his release from custody.

Gumbo is said to have later sent Ndlovu $5 airtime so that he could phone his relatives to look for the money.

Gumbo claimed he was going to share the money with some court officials to cover up the stock theft case.

Ndlovu's family members are said to have raised the $1 000 bribe and gave it to Gumbo.

However, Gumbo's plan did not work out as on 11 January, Ndlovu was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

After Ndlovu's family learnt that the plot had failed, they demanded back their money from Gumbo, which he paid back.

The matter was reported to the police who arrested Gumbo.

Mr Jefta Nyikadzinashe represented the State.