adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
TWO Beitbridge-based detectives were yesterday each fined $400 for demanding a $2,000 bribe from a suspected smuggler. Macdonald Mbombi and Stanford Muzombi, whose ages were not given in court, intercepted Organizer Makuwe who was illegally transporting a truckload of unrefrigerated apples from South Africa to Zimbabwe.
The police officers pounced on the truck soon after it had entered the country through Beitbridge border post. The detectives both pleaded not guilty to criminal abuse of office. However, Beitbridge resident magistrate, Gloria Takundwa convicted them on the strength of overwhelming evidence.
She fined the duo $400 each.
She further meted out three months in jail to each of the detectives, which she suspended on condition that they jointly repay Makuwe $1,300. The prosecutor, Jabulani Mberesi, told the court that on June 22 last year, the detectives received a tip off that there was a truck carrying smuggled unrefrigerated apples.
They followed the truck to Redan Service Station and arrested Makuwe.
The court heard they arrested Makuwe and demanded $2,000 to release the truck. After negotiations the detectives settled for $1,300, which Makuwe transferred to their cell phones via Econet’s EcoCash service. Makuwe made a report to the police soon after transferring the cash, leading to the detectives’ arrest.
Online Reporter