Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A SPECIAL constabulary officer who conspired with his wife, a taxi driver, and the driver’s girlfriend to extort suspected offenders in Headlands has been sentenced to five years in prison.
The group demanded hefty “release fees” from their victims before their scheme was uncovered and they were brought before the courts.
Jacob Mahomwa (35), of Afghanistan in Marondera, and attached to ZRP Macheke, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe last week.
He was jointly charged with his wife, Tanyaradzwa Magudhu (21), a taxi driver Praystone Malenguka (24), and Malenguka’s girlfriend, Lisa Magumanika (24). The quartet faced two counts of extortion under Section 134 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Prosecutor, Ms Faith Mutukwa said the group extorted US$500 from alleged dagga dealer, Anna Mukoma of Village 26A, Makudo Farm, Headlands.
Despite pleading not guilty, the four were convicted after a full trial.
Evidence revealed that they had brandished a firearm to intimidate one complainant into paying for an offence he denied committing.
In delivering judgment, Mr Mahwe sentenced each accused to five years’ imprisonment.
Six months of the sentence were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
A further six months were suspended on condition that each restitutes the complainants.
“On April 15, the accused persons teamed up and hatched a plan to extort money from would-be offenders in and around the Makudo farming area, Headlands. The accused were using a blue Honda Fit, Registration Number AFH 6393, driven by Mahomwa.
“The accused went to the complainant’s residence, introduced themselves as police officers, and Mahomwa produced a police identification card. They alleged that Mukoma was dealing in dagga at her home. Mukoma denied the allegations and offered to let the accused search her residence. The accused refused to search the premises, and instead arrested the complainant, and escorted her to their vehicle.
At the vehicle, they showed Mukoma a plastic bag containing dagga, and claimed they had recovered it from her home. They drove towards Macheke and demanded US$500 for her release,” said Ms Mutukwa, adding that the complainant said she had only US$100, and asked them to drive back to her home to collect the balance.
Ms Mutukwa said the accused took the US$100, and returned to her residence, where they received US$400 from her husband, Isaac Tembo.
“After receiving the cash, they released the complainant and drove away. The amount stolen was US$500, and nothing was recovered,” said Ms Mutukwa.
On the second count, Ms Mutukwa said the accused ‘arrested’ a suspected illegal fuel dealer, and took him to Macheke Police Station, where they released him after he paid them US$160 at the station.
Mahomwa pleaded guilty to this charge when he appeared before Mr Mahwe, while his co-accused denied it.
They were all found guilty of the offence, and Mahomwa was sentenced to pay a fine of US$300 or go to prison for four months.
The other three suspects were sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with four months suspended on condition of good behaviour and two months suspended on condition of restitution. They will serve six effective months for the offence.
“On April 23, the accused hatched a plan to extort money from would-be offenders in and around the Fairfield area in Headlands. They went to the complainant’s residence, and arrested him for selling fuel without a licence. The accused took the complainant and seven litres of petrol, and drove to Macheke Police Station.
‘‘At the station, the accused demanded cash, and made the complainant pay them US$160. After receiving the money, they returned his fuel and ordered him out of the vehicle.
‘‘The amount stolen was US$160, and nothing was recovered. On May 1, at around 5pm, the accused were spotted in Headlands, and were reported to the police, leading to their arrest,” said Ms Mutukwa.
