News / National
Court official demands US$500 to 'facilitate' bail
2 hrs ago |
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A court interpreter based at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court has appeared in court on allegations of demanding US$500 and US$20 worth of airtime from a man, claiming he could facilitate bail for a suspect detained at Khami Remand Prison on rape charges.
Affic Sabwe, 48, of Nkulumane suburb, appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure facing a charge of abuse of duty as a public officer, with an alternative charge of fraud. He is out of custody on bail and was remanded to March 3 for trial.
Prosecutor Ms Christina Manyika told the court that on July 14, 2025, the complainant, Tatenda Jekecha, 43, approached Sabwe seeking advice on the procedure for applying for bail on behalf of his relative, Sunny Bhebhe, who was in custody at Khami Remand Prison facing a rape charge.
It is alleged that Sabwe indicated he was a court official and could facilitate Bhebhe's release. He allegedly demanded US$500 to secure bail for the accused person.
The court heard that Jekecha requested time to raise the money, but Sabwe allegedly demanded US$20 for airtime immediately, claiming he needed to make phone calls. Jekecha reportedly handed over the US$20 the same day.
On July 18, Jekecha, accompanied by his sister-in-law, who is Bhebhe's wife, allegedly met Sabwe between Herbert Chitepo Street and Fort Street along 8th Avenue in Bulawayo and gave him US$400.
Sabwe is said to have accepted the money and promised that Bhebhe would be released on July 25, the next scheduled court appearance.
However, on July 25, Bhebhe was further remanded in custody. The court heard that Jekecha tried to locate Sabwe between July 25 and July 29 without success before reporting the matter to the police.
Affic Sabwe, 48, of Nkulumane suburb, appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure facing a charge of abuse of duty as a public officer, with an alternative charge of fraud. He is out of custody on bail and was remanded to March 3 for trial.
Prosecutor Ms Christina Manyika told the court that on July 14, 2025, the complainant, Tatenda Jekecha, 43, approached Sabwe seeking advice on the procedure for applying for bail on behalf of his relative, Sunny Bhebhe, who was in custody at Khami Remand Prison facing a rape charge.
It is alleged that Sabwe indicated he was a court official and could facilitate Bhebhe's release. He allegedly demanded US$500 to secure bail for the accused person.
The court heard that Jekecha requested time to raise the money, but Sabwe allegedly demanded US$20 for airtime immediately, claiming he needed to make phone calls. Jekecha reportedly handed over the US$20 the same day.
On July 18, Jekecha, accompanied by his sister-in-law, who is Bhebhe's wife, allegedly met Sabwe between Herbert Chitepo Street and Fort Street along 8th Avenue in Bulawayo and gave him US$400.
Sabwe is said to have accepted the money and promised that Bhebhe would be released on July 25, the next scheduled court appearance.
However, on July 25, Bhebhe was further remanded in custody. The court heard that Jekecha tried to locate Sabwe between July 25 and July 29 without success before reporting the matter to the police.
Source - Sunday News
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