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Sukulwenkosi Dube- Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
TWO corrupt police officers from Plumtree who were each jailed for 18 months for extortion by a Plumtree magistrate have been denied bail pending appeal.
Fume Chibvuri (34) and Aaron Zivuku (28) who are being held at Plumtree Prison, requested to be released on bail while awaiting a ruling on an appeal against their conviction and sentence filed at the High Court through their legal counsel Mr Tafadzwa Muvhami of Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers.
The two argued that they are innocent and must be freed while they await the outcome of their bail application.
Plumtree magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere dismissed the bail application saying the two cops were likely to abscond.
“The State in opposing bail pointed out that the court should consider prospects of success of the appeal made to the High Court.
“After going through the record which was being handled by magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa, I have concluded that there are no prospects of success of the appeal and if granted bail the appellants are likely to abscond. Therefore the bail application is dismissed,” he said.
Submitting the bail pending appeal application, Mr Muvhami had said he had filed an appeal with the High Court against the sentence that was passed against his clients who were convicted of a crime they allegedly did not commit.
Mr Muvhami said the High Court appeal could drag for up to two years which meant that his clients would still be languishing in jail for an offence that they did not commit.
Representing the State, Mr Stanley Chinyanganya opposed bail arguing that Chibvuri and Zivuku could no longer be classified as innocent people as they had been convicted.
Mr Chinyanganya said the two men were corrupt police officers who deserved to be jailed.
The two cops recently made headlines after they were caught on camera demanding a bribe from a cross border transporter, Mr Gift Moyo, last year at the Plumtree Border Post.
Plumtree magistrate, Mr Gideon Ruvetsa sentenced each of them to 24 months imprisonment but six months were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar crime within the next five years.
The two police officers were arrested after they threatened to arrest a cross border transporter if he did not bribe them.
He gave them $20 but they complained that it was not enough. He then requested $10 back indicating that he did not have any money left on him but they refused.
After realising that the corrupt practices of the police were continuing, he recorded what was transpiring using his cellphone.
@DubeMatutu.
Online Reporter