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Fake police extortion gang jailed
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A special constabulary officer attached to Zimbabwe Republic Police has been sentenced to five years in prison after he conspired with his wife, a taxi driver and the driver's girlfriend to extort money from suspected offenders in Headlands.
Jacob Mahomwa (35), of Afghanistan in Marondera and attached to ZRP Macheke, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe alongside his wife Tanyaradzwa Magudhu (21), taxi driver Praystone Malenguka (24), and Malenguka's girlfriend Lisa Magumanika (24).
The four were convicted on two counts of extortion under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after a full trial despite pleading not guilty on the main charge.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that the group posed as police officers and targeted alleged offenders in farming communities around Headlands.
In one incident on April 15, the accused allegedly went to the home of Anna Mukoma at Makudo Farm, accusing her of dealing in dagga. Mahomwa reportedly produced a police identity card before the group forced Mukoma into their vehicle and demanded US$500 for her release.
The court heard that the suspects showed the complainant a plastic bag containing dagga, claiming it had been recovered from her house, although they had refused to search the premises when invited to do so.
Mukoma initially paid US$100 before the group returned to her home where her husband allegedly handed over the remaining US$400. The money was not recovered.
In another incident, the quartet allegedly targeted a suspected illegal fuel dealer in Fairfield, Headlands. They reportedly took the complainant and seven litres of petrol to Macheke Police Station, where they demanded and received US$160 before releasing him and returning the fuel.
Mahomwa pleaded guilty to the second charge while the others denied involvement, but all were convicted.
Magistrate Mahwe sentenced each accused person to five years imprisonment, with part of the sentence suspended on condition of good behaviour and restitution to the complainants.
Jacob Mahomwa (35), of Afghanistan in Marondera and attached to ZRP Macheke, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe alongside his wife Tanyaradzwa Magudhu (21), taxi driver Praystone Malenguka (24), and Malenguka's girlfriend Lisa Magumanika (24).
The four were convicted on two counts of extortion under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after a full trial despite pleading not guilty on the main charge.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that the group posed as police officers and targeted alleged offenders in farming communities around Headlands.
In one incident on April 15, the accused allegedly went to the home of Anna Mukoma at Makudo Farm, accusing her of dealing in dagga. Mahomwa reportedly produced a police identity card before the group forced Mukoma into their vehicle and demanded US$500 for her release.
The court heard that the suspects showed the complainant a plastic bag containing dagga, claiming it had been recovered from her house, although they had refused to search the premises when invited to do so.
Mukoma initially paid US$100 before the group returned to her home where her husband allegedly handed over the remaining US$400. The money was not recovered.
In another incident, the quartet allegedly targeted a suspected illegal fuel dealer in Fairfield, Headlands. They reportedly took the complainant and seven litres of petrol to Macheke Police Station, where they demanded and received US$160 before releasing him and returning the fuel.
Mahomwa pleaded guilty to the second charge while the others denied involvement, but all were convicted.
Magistrate Mahwe sentenced each accused person to five years imprisonment, with part of the sentence suspended on condition of good behaviour and restitution to the complainants.
Source - Manica Post
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