Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, [email protected]
A COURT interpreter, who works at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court recently appeared in court for allegedly demanding US$500 and US$20 airtime, claiming it would facilitate bail for a suspect who is at Khami Remand Prison where he is facing rape charges.
Affic Sabwe (48) of Nkulumane suburb appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure, facing a charge of abuse of duty as a public officer, the alternative charge of fraud.
The accused person, who is out of custody on a bail, was remanded to 3 March for trial.
According to the prosecutor, Ms Christina Manyika, on 14 July 2025 the informant Tatenda Jekecha (43), approached the accused person seeking advice on the procedure to follow to acquire bail on behalf of his relative Sunny Bhebhe, who was remanded in custody at Khami Remand Prison in a case of rape.
The court heard that the accused person indicated that he was a court official and can facilitate the release of the informant’s relative.
The accused person demanded that the informant should give him US$500 to facilitate the release of his relative on bail.
Jekecha asked for time to look for the money and the accused person demanded that Jekecha must give him US$20 for airtime instantly, for the accused to make phone calls, he was thus given US$20 that very same day.
The court heard that on 18 July, Jekecha in the presence of his sister-in-law who is Bhebhe’s wife, met the accused person between Herbert Chitepo and Fort Street along 8th Avenue and gave him US$400.
The accused person collected the money and promised the informant that by 25 July, which was the next court appearance day, Bhebhe would be released.
During the remanded session of 25 July, Bhebhe was further remanded in custody, which led Jekecha to look for the accused person.
From July 25 and 29, the accused person could not be located and Jekecha reported the matter to the police.
Bongani Ndlovu