News / National
Journalist arrested for 'posing as a court prosecutor'
31 Aug 2013 at 04:36hrs | Views
A Gweru-based journalist, Maxwell Katakamba, allegedly posed as a court prosecutor and conned a fellow accused person of $50 at the Gweru magistrate courts after promising to throw away the victim's case.
Katakamba (36) who is the news editor of the Midlands Monitor, a newly launched Gweru-based community newspaper, was waiting to appear before the court for allegedly stealing a laptop from his employer, Ms Tendai Manhundu, when he allegedly conned the complainant.
Acting police spokesperson for Midlands, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende yesterday confirmed Katakamba's arrest.
She, however, could not give further details into the matter as she was still gathering facts.
"I can confirm the arrest of a journalist, Maxwell Katakamba, on Tuesday for conning another suspect after impersonating a public prosecutor. I am, however, yet to receive full details of the matter," she said.
A court official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Katakamba was waiting to appear in court at the Gweru magistrate courts when he took advantage of a fellow accused person who was desperate to have his case dropped. He then posed as a public prosecutor and conned the suspect of his money.
"During discussions with the other accused person who was also waiting to appear before the same courts, Katakamba who was putting on a black suit then pretended to be a public prosecutor. He then told his victim who was facing domestic violence charges that he could assist him in having his case dropped," said the court official.
The court official said Katakamba then demanded and was given $50.
"The victim then later learnt that he had been cheated of his money when Katakamba's name was called to appear before the court. This was when the victim reported the matter to the police at the court post. The police then arrested Katakamba while he was getting out of the dock after his laptop theft case had been remanded to a later date," said the court official.
The source said Katakamba was yesterday still in police custody assisting with investigations.
Katakamba (36) who is the news editor of the Midlands Monitor, a newly launched Gweru-based community newspaper, was waiting to appear before the court for allegedly stealing a laptop from his employer, Ms Tendai Manhundu, when he allegedly conned the complainant.
Acting police spokesperson for Midlands, Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende yesterday confirmed Katakamba's arrest.
She, however, could not give further details into the matter as she was still gathering facts.
"I can confirm the arrest of a journalist, Maxwell Katakamba, on Tuesday for conning another suspect after impersonating a public prosecutor. I am, however, yet to receive full details of the matter," she said.
"During discussions with the other accused person who was also waiting to appear before the same courts, Katakamba who was putting on a black suit then pretended to be a public prosecutor. He then told his victim who was facing domestic violence charges that he could assist him in having his case dropped," said the court official.
The court official said Katakamba then demanded and was given $50.
"The victim then later learnt that he had been cheated of his money when Katakamba's name was called to appear before the court. This was when the victim reported the matter to the police at the court post. The police then arrested Katakamba while he was getting out of the dock after his laptop theft case had been remanded to a later date," said the court official.
The source said Katakamba was yesterday still in police custody assisting with investigations.
Source - Chronicle
