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AN Epworth man appeared in court over the weekend to answer to impersonation charges after he masqueraded as a police officer.
Luke Machonisa was not asked to plead when he appeared before a Harare magistrate.
The court heard that on July 14, the complainant, Tafadzwa Pani, was driving his car along Jason Moyo Avenue.
He was stopped by Machonisa, who was with two other men, whose names are unknown.
The three were driving a Nissan Tida and Machonisa was dressed as a police officer.
He instructed Pani to park by the road side.
It is alleged Machonisa disembarked from the car and got into Pani’s vehicle and told him that he was under arrest for disturbing the Presidential motorcade.
Machonisa’s accomplices demanded Pani’s driver’s licence, which he handed over to them. They allegedly directed Pani to drive his car to the police station. On the way, Machonisa demanded US$200 from Pani to avoid arrest but he told him that he didn’t have any money.
They came across police officers, who were on patrol, who stopped them.
Machonisa opened the door and started running away but was apprehended by the public, leading to his arrest.
The police uniform will be produced in court as an exhibit.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter