2 cops arrested over alleged US$600 extortion scheme

Two Zimbabwe Republic Police officers have appeared in court on allegations of criminal abuse of duty after they allegedly demanded money from a Chinese national in exchange for his release during what is believed to have been an unlawful arrest.

Prosper Chimbumu (35), based at Borrowdale Police Station, and Paradzai Matubu (34), stationed at Mukumbura Police Station, appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Jessie Kufa.

The complainant, Lin Qi Hui, a Chinese national, is alleged to have been targeted on June 1, 2026, while travelling along Teign Road in Borrowdale in the company of two other passengers.

According to the State, the two accused officers, who were in civilian clothing and travelling in a Honda Fit, signalled for the vehicle to stop near the French School in Borrowdale. When the instruction was initially ignored, they allegedly pursued and intercepted the vehicle.

The court heard that the officers identified themselves as members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, claiming they were verifying immigration documents for Chinese nationals.

One of the passengers produced valid documents, while Lin reportedly stated that his papers were at home. The officers then allegedly demanded US$600 for his release.

Suspicion was raised when a third party contacted a senior officer to verify the identities of the men, leading to inconsistencies in their claimed deployment and designation.

Prosecutors allege that the suspects later escalated their demand to US$1 000 and instructed the complainant to contact friends to raise the money while they held him at Sky Plaza in Borrowdale.

Investigators further allege that the officers were not on official duty and had no authority to conduct immigration-related enforcement or demand payment from the complainant.

As events unfolded, the complainant's associates alerted police detectives and tracked the suspects' movements after the complainant activated live location sharing on his mobile phone.

The officers later drove the complainant to ZRP Milton Park Police Station, where they attempted to formally place him under arrest for alleged contravention of the Immigration Act.

However, detectives arrived at the station and arrested the two officers as they were handing over the complainant.

The State alleges that the accused had no lawful basis to detain the complainant or solicit any form of payment in exchange for his release.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing as the two officers await further court proceedings.