Police impersonator bribed with beer

A Shurugwi Town Council security guard who masqueraded as a police officer and extorted cash and beer from shop owners has been sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Wilson Mateveke (33) was convicted on his own plea on two counts of impersonating a police officer and theft by Shurugwi magistrate Sithembinkosi Gowero last Friday.

Mateveke committed the offences alongside Clearance Chimangariso (44) and Mukudzei Mahachi (33), both from Makusha suburb in Shurugwi.

The court heard that the trio went to Musasa Business Centre last Monday posing as Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detectives. They approached a tuck-shop owner and demanded a bribe, receiving US$20.

They then moved to another shop where they were given two six-packs of beer.

Their scheme was exposed when a member of the public recognised them and alerted other business owners that they were not genuine police officers.

A villager effected a citizen's arrest, leading to the trio being handed over to the police.

Mateveke was subsequently convicted and sentenced, while proceedings involving his co-accused are expected to follow.

Prosecutor Kwanele Njini handled the case.