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Senior Court Reporter
DETERRENT sentences must be imposed on everyone especially those in public office who engage in corrupt activities, a Harare magistrate said yesterday.
Jailing a former police chief inspector for an effective 14 months for trying to smuggle a church leader through the VIP section at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while carrying US$10 000 and R2 000, Harare regional magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna said corrupt activities must be frowned upon especially when committed by people who hold public office.
He convicted former police Chief Inspector Pedzisai Hali of criminal abuse of office as a public officer and sentenced him to 24 months in jail, but suspended 10 months on condition of good behaviour.
Hali had been responsible for protocol services to police dignitaries at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. But in 2020 he tried to use his authority to allow Simbarashe Lazarus Nengomasha, also known as Madzibaba Simba, to travel to South Africa through the VIP section with US$10 819 and over R2 920, which is against the Customs and Excise regulations.
A person must declare any amount in excess of US$2 000 when leaving the country. Madzibaba Simba is also appearing in court over related charges and the matter is still pending at Harare Magistrates Court.
In his judgment, Mr Nduna said it was clear that Hali knew his church leader’s intentions when he escorted Madzibaba Simba through the VIP section at the airport. Church elders selected him to assist Madzibaba Simba because they knew he had the capacity through his official duties at the airport.
Mr Nduna said Hali decided to take Madzibaba Simba through the VIP section because he knew that searches were minimal, especially during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
In sentencing Hali, Mr Nduna said corrupt activities must be frowned upon especially when committed by people who hold public office, and stiff sentences must be handed down to discourage other would be offenders.
Prosecuting, Mrs Cecilia Mashingaidze proved that on November 6, 2020 at about 5:30am, Hali and Madzibaba Simba connived to smuggle US$10 819 and R2 920 through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to South Africa.
To facilitate their entrance through airport check points, Hali displayed his airport pass, which he was supposed to display only when he was on duty and accompanying a VIP.
Hali and Madzibaba Simba avoided the Zimra declaration point and went through the VIP entry point.
An alert member of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Ms Pauline Chibaya, intercepted them and redirected them to use the ordinary entry point since they were not VIPs.
When they went through the ordinary entry point, it was discovered that Madzibaba Simba was in possession of US$10 819 and R2 920 in his pockets, which was not declared.
The two were then escorted to the Zimra office where the money was seized and handed over to the police.
An airport pass was recovered from Hali. It was further discovered that Hali was not travelling on that particular day, but was only facilitating the movement of Madzibaba Simba within the airport check points.
Online Reporter