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CID detectives arrested for US$400 bribe
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Two detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Norton have appeared in court after allegedly demanding a US$400 bribe to release a suspect arrested for possession of dagga.
Tawanda Mudzingwa Makaza (39) and Venancio Mapfumo (35) were arraigned before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, charged with criminal abuse of office as public officers. They were each granted $100 bail and are expected back in court on October 17.
The two officers are represented by lawyer Killian Mandiki, while the State is the complainant in the matter.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on September 16 when the detectives raided the home of Dumisani Tawanda Masengu in Kaseke Village, Chief Chivero, Mhondoro, around 2.30am. They allegedly discovered three plastic bags containing dagga, leading to Masengu's arrest.
Later that night, the detectives arrested another suspect, Abigail Kamurai, at Makawa Village after finding her with a large plastic bag of dagga. Both were detained at Gonza Police Base overnight.
The following morning, while transporting the suspects to Gonza Shopping Centre, the detectives allegedly demanded a bribe from Masengu in exchange for his release. Masengu initially offered US$50, which was rejected, as was a US$100 offer from his mother, Constance Masengu. The officers reportedly insisted on US$400.
Constance later sourced the money from three different people and handed it over to Detective Constable Mapfumo. Masengu was released, but Kamurai remained in custody.
The alleged misconduct was exposed following a tip-off to the Police Internal Investigations team, led by Chief Inspector Raymond Kudakwashe Mukoko. The investigators tracked the detectives to Mhuriro Business Centre, where their Toyota Mark X was found parked unattended.
When the two officers returned, Chief Insp Mukoko reportedly observed Mapfumo attempting to conceal something near an anthill. Upon searching the detectives, investigators recovered US$360 from Makaza and US$20 from Mapfumo. A further search of the anthill uncovered US$420 hidden in the grass.
Investigations are ongoing.
Tawanda Mudzingwa Makaza (39) and Venancio Mapfumo (35) were arraigned before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, charged with criminal abuse of office as public officers. They were each granted $100 bail and are expected back in court on October 17.
The two officers are represented by lawyer Killian Mandiki, while the State is the complainant in the matter.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on September 16 when the detectives raided the home of Dumisani Tawanda Masengu in Kaseke Village, Chief Chivero, Mhondoro, around 2.30am. They allegedly discovered three plastic bags containing dagga, leading to Masengu's arrest.
Later that night, the detectives arrested another suspect, Abigail Kamurai, at Makawa Village after finding her with a large plastic bag of dagga. Both were detained at Gonza Police Base overnight.
The following morning, while transporting the suspects to Gonza Shopping Centre, the detectives allegedly demanded a bribe from Masengu in exchange for his release. Masengu initially offered US$50, which was rejected, as was a US$100 offer from his mother, Constance Masengu. The officers reportedly insisted on US$400.
Constance later sourced the money from three different people and handed it over to Detective Constable Mapfumo. Masengu was released, but Kamurai remained in custody.
The alleged misconduct was exposed following a tip-off to the Police Internal Investigations team, led by Chief Inspector Raymond Kudakwashe Mukoko. The investigators tracked the detectives to Mhuriro Business Centre, where their Toyota Mark X was found parked unattended.
When the two officers returned, Chief Insp Mukoko reportedly observed Mapfumo attempting to conceal something near an anthill. Upon searching the detectives, investigators recovered US$360 from Makaza and US$20 from Mapfumo. A further search of the anthill uncovered US$420 hidden in the grass.
Investigations are ongoing.
Source - The Herald
