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Temba Dube Senior Reporter
POLICE have arrested two detectives stationed at Bulawayo Central Police Station for allegedly extorting R80 000 from two gold dealers.
The two detectives were brought to the Western Commonage Magistrate Courts on Thursday, but the matter was referred back to the police for further investigations.
The officers, identified as Detective Sergeants Godfrey Moyo and Moses Taruva, reportedly movie style arrested Mr Aleck Zikhali (26) and Mr Jabulani Gwizi at gun point.
Police sources close to the story said the detectives were arrested on Tuesday afternoon.
They allegedly committed the offence on Sunday.
Taruva had reportedly bought a car from the proceeds of the crime at the time of his arrest.
“The dealers were in the business of buying gold in Zimbabwe and selling it in South Africa. On Sunday, the two detectives were accompanied by a police officer in uniform to the dealers’ home at 1716 Emakhandeni.
They were armed with a gun. They identified themselves as police officers, handcuffed the dealers and dragged them to a vehicle that they had parked at the gate,” said one of the sources.
The sources said the detectives told Mr Gwizi and Mr Zikhali that they were lucky to be alive as they had been given orders to shoot them on sight.
“They told the dealers that police were aware that they were illegally buying gold and unlawfully crossing the border to sell it. They drove to Luveve Police Station where they dropped the uniformed officer. They reminded the dealers that they were on a mission to kill.
They said they would shoot them if they were not given money,” said the source.
Another officer said Mr Gwizi, out of fear, told the detectives that he had about R100 000 that his grandmother was keeping for him in Mpopoma.
“They drove to Mpopoma and were given a cash box that had the money. They took R80 000 and left the rest. They had no keys to the handcuffs so they drove to West Commonage Police Station where they got some keys and freed the dealers. They then reminded the dealers that they were still alive because of their mercy.
They told them not to tell anyone as they would be arrested because police were looking for them. They advised them to move from 1716 Emakhandeni,” said the officer.
The officer said Mr Gwizi and Mr Zikhali, however, reported the matter to the police on Monday.
He said there was drama when police officers arrived at the Bulawayo Central Police station to arrest the detectives.
“Moyo was not at work and I think someone tipped off Taruva because when the arresting officers arrived, he disappeared. One moment he was there and minutes later, everyone was looking for him. Akubonakalanga ukuthi wangena ngaphi,” said the officer.
Sources at Western Commonage said police were about to organise a manhunt when Taruva and Moyo arrived at the station and handed themselves over.
Police have declared zero tolerance to corruption within their ranks.
On 12 December last year, seven traffic police officers were fired for corruption.
President Mugabe is on record saying Zimbabweans should not hesitate to report corruption, even among high ranking Government officials.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu