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Police boss arrested over alleged robbery cover-up
2 hrs ago |
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A Zimbabwe Republic Police inspector has appeared in court facing charges of extortion, criminal abuse of duty and obstructing the course of justice over allegations that he attempted to suppress an armed robbery complaint involving a Chinese businessman.
Farai Gwamure, 51, identified in court papers as the acting officer-in-charge of Borrowdale Police Station in Harare, was arrested on October 19.
The allegations arise from a business dispute involving Feng Lin, a 38-year-old Chinese national residing in Borrowdale West, who had reportedly entered into an agreement with Nina Zheng to transport chrome from Zimbabwe to Mozambique.
The arrangement allegedly collapsed after Zheng offloaded the chrome in Mutare instead of Mozambique and demanded a refund of US$13,050.
Court papers allege that on October 13, Zheng and her alleged accomplices went to Lin's residence armed with a Mossberg shotgun and demanded money.
They allegedly threatened and assaulted Lin, handcuffed him and searched his home before forcing him to transfer US$13,050 into Zheng's bank account.
Following the incident, Lin reportedly lodged a complaint at Borrowdale Police Station, where the matter was assigned for investigation.
However, prosecutors allege that Gwamure attempted to prevent the complaint from being formally recorded and investigated.
According to court papers, the inspector initially turned Lin away, promising to contact him later. He subsequently summoned the businessman to his office and allegedly handed him US$1,000 after taking US$900 from his pocket.
The court papers further allege that after the complaint was eventually recorded on October 15, Gwamure conspired with another accused person to falsify an entry in the station's Reports Received Book to conceal evidence relating to the case.
Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa granted Gwamure US$200 bail.
He is expected to return to court on November 4 as investigations into the allegations continue.
Farai Gwamure, 51, identified in court papers as the acting officer-in-charge of Borrowdale Police Station in Harare, was arrested on October 19.
The allegations arise from a business dispute involving Feng Lin, a 38-year-old Chinese national residing in Borrowdale West, who had reportedly entered into an agreement with Nina Zheng to transport chrome from Zimbabwe to Mozambique.
The arrangement allegedly collapsed after Zheng offloaded the chrome in Mutare instead of Mozambique and demanded a refund of US$13,050.
Court papers allege that on October 13, Zheng and her alleged accomplices went to Lin's residence armed with a Mossberg shotgun and demanded money.
They allegedly threatened and assaulted Lin, handcuffed him and searched his home before forcing him to transfer US$13,050 into Zheng's bank account.
Following the incident, Lin reportedly lodged a complaint at Borrowdale Police Station, where the matter was assigned for investigation.
However, prosecutors allege that Gwamure attempted to prevent the complaint from being formally recorded and investigated.
According to court papers, the inspector initially turned Lin away, promising to contact him later. He subsequently summoned the businessman to his office and allegedly handed him US$1,000 after taking US$900 from his pocket.
The court papers further allege that after the complaint was eventually recorded on October 15, Gwamure conspired with another accused person to falsify an entry in the station's Reports Received Book to conceal evidence relating to the case.
Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa granted Gwamure US$200 bail.
He is expected to return to court on November 4 as investigations into the allegations continue.
Source - online
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