‘Cops’ in court for $1, cigarette extortion

Thubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
TWO Bulawayo men were arrested after impersonating police officers and extorting $1 and a cigarette from a 60-year-old vendor, a court heard yesterday.

Alexio Musimurimwa, 31, of Sizinda suburb and Pesanai Ratisai, 29, of Donnington suburb allegedly pounced on Ometty Dube of Bradfield suburb on March 15 and accused her of vending without a licence.

They allegedly threatened to arrest Dube unless she bribed them with $40.

After protracted negotiations, they eventually settled for a $1 and a cigarette.

The duo appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tawanda Muchemwa facing a charge of extortion.

They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody to today for trial.

Dube said the two were wearing civilian attire and Musimurimwa demanded a box of Madison and another of Everest cigarettes from her.

“I told them I didn’t have the boxes. Musimurimwa accused me of selling cigarettes on the streets without a licence. He told me they were police officers stationed at Drill Hall and ordered me to pay a $40 fine,” said Dube.

“I begged them to be lenient because I didn’t have money to pay the fine. They threatened to arrest me and Ratisai ordered me to surrender the little money I had. Musimurimwa took $1 and a cigarette.”

Musimurimwa told the court that he was drunk at the time and only remembers giving Dube $2 for a cigarette.

“Your worship, I paid Dube $2 for a cigarette and she handed me $1 plus R7 change. I didn’t impersonate a police officer,” said Musimurimwa.

Ratisai said Musimurimwa bought the cigarettes from Dube while he was waiting a few metres away.

He added that he was shocked when police officers arrested him.

Prosecuting, Munyonga Kuvarega said that on March 14, this year at around 5PM, Ratisai and Musimurimwa approached Dube who was selling sweets and cigarettes.

“The duo informed Dube that she was under arrest and demanded $40 from her,” said Kuvarega.

The court heard that the duo took $1 and a cigarette from her.

A passerby informed police officers on patrol leading to Ratisai and Musimurimwa’s arrest.

Only $1 was recovered.