adminChronicle Correspondent
A Bulawayo man was yesterday brought to court facing charges of impersonating a traffic police officer and extorting $250 from a taxi driver who had knocked down a pedestrian. Esau Munangwa (27), of Number 26 Elston Road in Bradfield, was not asked to plead to two counts of impersonation and extortion when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Sibongile Msipa.
He was remanded in custody to 25 July.
The State led by prosecutor, Mr Malvern Nzombe, alleges that on 8 July at about 3pm the complainant, Mr Ernest Mushai who is employed by Hams Taxis, was driving a Toyota Vitz along Hebert Chitepo Street when he knocked down Mr Gilbert Nyathi.
Mr Nyathi sustained bruises on the hands and legs.
Munangwa who witnessed the accident quickly approached Mr Mushai and identified himself as a traffic police officer stationed at Drill Hall, the court was told.
He allegedly ordered Mr Mushai to take Mr Nyathi and himself to Mpilo Central Hospital.
The court heard that on arrival Munangwa demanded $15 from the complainant claiming it was for registration.
It is alleged that Munangwa later asked the complainant to give him $250 claiming it was for Mr Nyathi’s medication.
This was despite the fact there were no medical cards, which were issued to the victim.
Mr Nzombe further told the court that Munangwa then ordered the complainant to surrender his licence to him as surety that he was going to give him the amount in question.
Munangwa gave Mr Mushai his number and asked him to phone him when he got the money before dismissing Mr Nyathi.
The suspicious complainant went and reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of Munangwa.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo