adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
AN acting regional prosecutor who was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a man accused of raping his daughter has appeared in court facing two counts of fraud. Vincent Shava, 50, of Matsheumhlope appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Gladmore Mushove for initial remand. Shava through his lawyer Brighton Ndove successfully applied for bail. Mushove, who granted Shava $500 bail ordered him to surrender his travel documents and not interfere with state witnesses as part of the bail conditions.
She remanded him to January 19, 2016.
Prosecuting, Simbarashe Manyiwa told the court that on February 2 last year, a Bulawayo man was arrested on allegations of raping his daughter. He appeared in court and was remanded in custody at Khami Prison from February to April 5.
Manyiwa said the father was later released on bail pending trial and ordered to report every fortnight at Bulawayo Central Police Station. “On November 2 this year, Shava phoned the father and told him to come to his office at Tredgold Building and he complied. He then asked for $400 from him so that he (Shava) could destroy the docket,” Manyiwa said.
The court heard that the man promised to pay the amount in instalments of $200.
“On November 9 this year, he went to Shava’s office where he paid $100 and promised to pay the remaining amount on December 1 or 2, Manyiwa told the court.
On December 2, the court heard, he reported the matter to Hillside Police Station and a trap was organised and authorised.
“A trap team led by Assistant Inspector Makondora obtained a $100 note serial number KE85104350 from him which was photocopied and certified as a true copy of the original,” said Manyiwa.
The court heard that the man was given the trap money and contacted Shava on his cellphone so that they could meet and settle the balance at Edgars Stores at corner of Herbert Chitepo Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue. “He and the trap team went to the site where they waited for Shava. He came and was handed the trap money. The police immediately arrested him,” said Manyiwa.
The prosecutor said a search was conducted on Shava and the trap money was recovered in his left hand.
Online Reporter