News / National
Court interpreter arrested over US$200 'bribe'
6 hrs ago | Views
A court interpreter stationed at Mbare Magistrates Court appeared before a regional magistrate this week after he was allegedly caught soliciting a bribe to influence the outcome of a criminal case.
Tadiwanashe Chikomo (25) appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer. He was not asked to plead and is expected to return to court for further proceedings.
According to the State, the complainant, Natasha Matikiti, had attended court proceedings on May 14 after her husband, Kevin Sono, was arrested and detained for wearing military-style camouflage clothing - an offence under Zimbabwean law.
The matter was referred to Mbare Magistrates Court, where Sono was remanded in custody until May 19.
Before the court session commenced, Chikomo allegedly approached Matikiti and inquired about her presence at court. Upon learning about her husband's case, he reportedly warned her that it was "a difficult one" and suggested that she could seek his assistance if the outcome was unfavourable.
Following Sono's remand, Matikiti is said to have approached Chikomo again outside the court, where he allegedly demanded US$200 in exchange for helping to facilitate her husband's release and payment of a fine. She reportedly paid a US$120 deposit, promising to settle the balance later.
Matikiti later reported the incident to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Mbare District Headquarters. A trap was set, with ZRP authorising the use of US$80 in genuine, photocopied currency.
On May 19, police officers tracked Matikiti and Chikomo as they met outside the court premises. Chikomo was allegedly seen accepting the marked money before attempting to flee the scene.
He was pursued by the ZRP Mbare intelligence team and arrested near Remembrance Drive.
The case continues.
Tadiwanashe Chikomo (25) appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer. He was not asked to plead and is expected to return to court for further proceedings.
According to the State, the complainant, Natasha Matikiti, had attended court proceedings on May 14 after her husband, Kevin Sono, was arrested and detained for wearing military-style camouflage clothing - an offence under Zimbabwean law.
The matter was referred to Mbare Magistrates Court, where Sono was remanded in custody until May 19.
Before the court session commenced, Chikomo allegedly approached Matikiti and inquired about her presence at court. Upon learning about her husband's case, he reportedly warned her that it was "a difficult one" and suggested that she could seek his assistance if the outcome was unfavourable.
Matikiti later reported the incident to the Zimbabwe Republic Police at Mbare District Headquarters. A trap was set, with ZRP authorising the use of US$80 in genuine, photocopied currency.
On May 19, police officers tracked Matikiti and Chikomo as they met outside the court premises. Chikomo was allegedly seen accepting the marked money before attempting to flee the scene.
He was pursued by the ZRP Mbare intelligence team and arrested near Remembrance Drive.
The case continues.
Source - the herald
