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Prosecutors steal from sangoma
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Two prosecutors based at Rusape Magistrates' Court, Takunda Chinakidzo Muzenda (30) and Marlon Makamba (32), were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Wednesday on allegations of criminal abuse of office. The pair are accused of demanding and receiving bribes from a local traditional healer, Freddy Dhonsa, in exchange for dropping extortion charges against him.
ZACC officers apprehended the two prosecutors at Joe's Place, a beer outlet in Rusape's Central Business District, where they were caught receiving a US$100 trap note from Dhonsa. They were subsequently transferred to Mutare, awaiting their court appearance scheduled for today, Friday, June 27.
According to ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu, Muzenda and Makamba had been soliciting bribes from Dhonsa since 2023. Initially, they promised to downgrade the case against him to a summons matter but later demanded additional payments to completely destroy the docket. They allegedly claimed that the presiding magistrate, Barbara Mateko, required US$300, adding to their demands.
Dhonsa's ordeal began in June 2023 when he was arrested by Detective Moyo of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Rusape, accused of extortion after allegedly threatening a woman, Praise Mutume, over unpaid money. Dhonsa's wife approached Detective Moyo seeking assistance, leading to an introduction to Makamba, who demanded US$250 for handling the matter as a summons. Dhonsa managed to raise only US$189, which was handed to Makamba via Detective Moyo, after which the matter was processed by summons.
Over the ensuing two years, Dhonsa made multiple payments to Makamba, either in cash or through deposits into the EcoCash account of Rindai Mukonya, owner of Joe's Place. A bar attendant reportedly managed the account.
In June 2025, Muzenda assumed control of the case and demanded US$500 from Dhonsa, claiming US$300 was for Magistrate Mateko and US$200 for himself to destroy the case docket. Dhonsa paid US$400 upfront and was told court attendance was unnecessary. However, on June 24, a warrant of arrest was issued against Dhonsa, prompting him to confront Muzenda. When no explanation was provided, Dhonsa reported the matter to ZACC, leading to the subsequent sting operation and arrests.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Detective Moyo is also likely to face charges for allegedly receiving the initial US$189 bribe and passing it to Makamba.
This case marks the second time Muzenda has been implicated in a bribery scandal. Last year, he narrowly avoided arrest for allegedly demanding a US$150 bribe from Rumbidzai Sananga, who was charged with unlawful cultivation of dagga. ZACC set a trap, but the operation failed after Muzenda refused to accept the money following a tip-off that compromised the sting.
The corruption allegations against the two prosecutors have sent ripples through the local justice system, highlighting the challenges of maintaining integrity within legal institutions. The accused are expected to appear in court soon as investigations continue.
ZACC officers apprehended the two prosecutors at Joe's Place, a beer outlet in Rusape's Central Business District, where they were caught receiving a US$100 trap note from Dhonsa. They were subsequently transferred to Mutare, awaiting their court appearance scheduled for today, Friday, June 27.
According to ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu, Muzenda and Makamba had been soliciting bribes from Dhonsa since 2023. Initially, they promised to downgrade the case against him to a summons matter but later demanded additional payments to completely destroy the docket. They allegedly claimed that the presiding magistrate, Barbara Mateko, required US$300, adding to their demands.
Dhonsa's ordeal began in June 2023 when he was arrested by Detective Moyo of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Rusape, accused of extortion after allegedly threatening a woman, Praise Mutume, over unpaid money. Dhonsa's wife approached Detective Moyo seeking assistance, leading to an introduction to Makamba, who demanded US$250 for handling the matter as a summons. Dhonsa managed to raise only US$189, which was handed to Makamba via Detective Moyo, after which the matter was processed by summons.
Over the ensuing two years, Dhonsa made multiple payments to Makamba, either in cash or through deposits into the EcoCash account of Rindai Mukonya, owner of Joe's Place. A bar attendant reportedly managed the account.
In June 2025, Muzenda assumed control of the case and demanded US$500 from Dhonsa, claiming US$300 was for Magistrate Mateko and US$200 for himself to destroy the case docket. Dhonsa paid US$400 upfront and was told court attendance was unnecessary. However, on June 24, a warrant of arrest was issued against Dhonsa, prompting him to confront Muzenda. When no explanation was provided, Dhonsa reported the matter to ZACC, leading to the subsequent sting operation and arrests.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Detective Moyo is also likely to face charges for allegedly receiving the initial US$189 bribe and passing it to Makamba.
This case marks the second time Muzenda has been implicated in a bribery scandal. Last year, he narrowly avoided arrest for allegedly demanding a US$150 bribe from Rumbidzai Sananga, who was charged with unlawful cultivation of dagga. ZACC set a trap, but the operation failed after Muzenda refused to accept the money following a tip-off that compromised the sting.
The corruption allegations against the two prosecutors have sent ripples through the local justice system, highlighting the challenges of maintaining integrity within legal institutions. The accused are expected to appear in court soon as investigations continue.
Source - Manica Post
