adminMasvingo Correspondent
TWO police officers from Masvingo, who were facing charges of abuse of public office after they allegedly demanded a 900 rand bribe from a suspect, have been acquitted of the charges.
Now free, Tafirei Tandirayi, was attached to Masvingo Magistrates’ Court as a public prosecutor while George Ferendende was stationed in Masvingo rural.
Their lawyers, Rodney Makausi and Phillip Shumba argued that there was no case against their clients after witnesses gave conflicting statements.
Chiredzi magistrate Kayengwa Chibanda found Tandirayi and Ferendende not guilty at the close of the State’s case.
The State counsel Eddie Mbavhaira, had to stop Loveness Machele from testifying after seeing that her testimony was hostile to the State.
Prosecuting, Mbavarira told the court that on February, 1, 2014 at about 10 AM, Tandirayi and Ferendende demanded $100 from Nyasha Kwashira, promising to cancel his charges before going to court.
The court heard that Machele gave her brother Kwashira 900 rand, which he then gave to Tandirayi.
It is alleged Ferendende had also separately demanded $150 and detained Kwashira when he failed to raise the money.
Tandirai allegedly demanded 900 rand on the day when Kwashira was supposed to appear in court and the two cops were given the money but did not receipt it.
Police acted on a tip off and arrested them.
Kwashira had been dragged to court for a case of domestic violence.
Online Reporter