Senior cop up for fraud

A senior police officer based at Kwekwe Central Police Station was arrested last week for allegedly stealing  more than 300 pounds cash, which was kept as an exhibit at the police station.

The policeman, Hardway Munyaradzi Kasu (38), a superintendent attached to the police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as an officer-in-charge, was on Friday arraigned before Gweru provincial magistrate Mr Thembinkosi Msipa facing charges of fraud.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to Tuesday next week on $50 bail.

He was also ordered not to visit Kwekwe Central Police Station, interfere with State witnesses and to continue residing at the given address as part of the bail conditions.

For the State, Mr Michael Mhene told the court that on Monday last week, police's Kwekwe district criminal investigation officer, Superintendent Walter Hita, visited the accused's office on routine duties to check some exhibits, which were kept at the station.

Mr Mhene said while checking the records, Supt Hita discovered that on 16 February 2012, one suspect was arrested and money amounting to 305 British pounds, R20 and $50 notes were recorded in the exhibit book in order of their serial numbers.

Mr Mhene said on checking the serial numbers, Supt Hita discovered that the accused Kasu had used the original exhibit money and replaced it with other notes with different serial numbers.

The matter was reported at the same police station leading to the arrest of Kasu.