adminThe matter came to light when the man, Risai Shumba (29), was reported to the police by the suspect’s wife after her husband was not released despite paying the $600 bribe money.
Shumba, of BP 4690 Mberengwa council houses, had pleaded not guilty to soliciting for the $600 bribe from the complainant, Mrs Miidzo Shumba, when he appeared on Friday before Zvishavane magistrate Mr Peter Madiba.
The two are not related.
Risai Shumba was, however, found guilty of abusing duty as a public official and was sentenced to nine months in prison.
He will serve an effective four months with hard labour after three months of his sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The other two months were suspended on condition he pays the complainant, Mrs Shumba, $70 restitution by 5 July 2012.
Apparently Risai Shumba had earlier paid back $530 after he failed to facilitate the release of the suspect.
For the State, Mr William Man’ombe told the court that on 15 May 2012, Mrs Miidzo Shumba’s husband was arrested for illegal gold panning.
Mr Man’ombe said Mrs Shumba then called her relative in Gwanda informing her about the arrest of her husband.
The court heard that Mrs Shumba was then given the mobile numbers of Shumba to assist her to have her husband released.
Mr Man’ombe said Mrs Shumba then called Shumba after which she indicated that she wanted some assistance to have her husband released.
Shumba invited her to the Mberengwa magistrates’ court the following day where Shumba indicated that he wanted money so that he could facilitate the release of Mrs Shumba’s husband.
The court heard that Mrs Shumba then gave Shumba $100 and returned to her rural home in Bvute area, Mberengwa.
Mr Man’ombe said the following day, Shumba called Mrs Shumba and indicated that his bosses had demanded $500 more to have her husband released.
The court heard that Mrs Shumba then brought the required amount of money and gave it to Shumba.
Mr Man’ombe said after some days, Mrs Shumba noted that her husband had not been released and she went and confronted Shumba.
Mr Man’ombe said Shumba then gave Mrs Shumba $530 back after admitting his failure to facilitate the release of the complainant’s husband.
Mrs Shumba then reported the matter to the police leading to Shumba’s arrest.
Online Reporter