admindemanding a bribe to free him.
Maxwell Nyabadza and his accomplices who were still at large pounced on Calvin Maruku, an airtime vendor and produced police identity cards before ‘arresting him’.
They bundled him in their getaway car and told him he was under arrest in connection with a theft case, which had been earlier reported before demanding US$200 from him to set him free.
Nyabadza (36) was not formerly charged when he appeared before Harare Regional magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire charged with impersonation, kidnapping and extortion.
He was denied bail after the State led by Mr Michael Reza successfully opposed bail.
Allegations are that on November 3 this year, Nyabadza and his accomplices hatched a plan to steal from Maruku.
The gang, which was driving in a Honda, registration number AAU5116, approached Maruku at his usual vending place in Marlborough.
Nyabadza disembarked from the vehicle and approached Maruku and informed him that he was under arrest for a charge of theft that had happened at a university farm.
They then bundled him into their vehicle and demanded US$200 for them to set him free.
While in the car, they told Maruku they were taking him to prison if he did not comply. He was forced to surrender US$80 and US$50 worth of recharge cards to the gang but they indicated that it was not enough.
They allegedly drove him to his friend where he borrowed US$50, which he gave them.
They later drove into town where they dumped him and ordered him to look for the balance which they were to collect later.
Maruku narrated his ordeal to George Savanhu and they called Nyabadza to collect the balance.
They apprehended him when he returned and took him to the police.
Online Reporter