CHINHOYI – Two police officers, Sergeant Theoline Mapako and Constable Gracious Hove, stationed at Chinhoyi Police Station, have been arraigned before the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court on corruption charges.
The prosecution alleges that on February 2nd, 2024, the officers solicited a bribe of US$100 from Thandeka Chitombo, who was arrested for impersonating a state official. The bribe was allegedly in exchange for securing bail for Chitombo.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Chitombo initially offered US$32, but the officers claimed they had already arranged with her father for an additional US$50.
When Chitombo received the money from her father, the officers allegedly took her to the courthouse restroom, where she reportedly handed over US$80 as a bribe.
Despite the alleged exchange, the prosecution opposed bail for Chitombo, and she was remanded in custody.
The incident came to light after the denial of bail. Chitombo reportedly informed prison officials, who then alerted the authorities.
The next court appearance for Mapako and Hove is scheduled for March 19th, 2024.
In another case, a Victoria Falls man, Controller Daka (46) was convicted and sentenced by a Victoria Falls Magistrate on charges of fraud.
The State proved that on the 11th of February 2024 at Monde village, Victoria Falls the accused person intentionally made a misrepresentation to one Munashe Chizhou that he was selling his residential stand.
The complainant paid the full price for the stand. The matter came to light on the 3rd of March 2024 when the complainant contacted the village head for change of ownership who informed him that the stand had been sold to one Wellington Muzhuzha some time in January 2024.
The complainant reported the matter to the Police leading to the arrest of the accused person. The total value prejudiced was USD3 000 and nothing was recovered.
The accused person was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment of which 8 months was suspended for 5 years on condition of good behavior.
A further 16 months imprisonment was suspended on condition that the accused person completes 560 hours community service. A further 12 months imprisonment was suspended on condition that the accused person restitutes the complainant the sum of US$3 000 by the 2nd of April 2024.
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