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FOUR police officers are accused of allegedly extorting a Chinese businessman of US$3500 after they falsely claimed he was dealing in drugs and fuel.
Lawson Muchongwe, Perseverance Chisango, Fredrick Moyo and Weston Muzoriwa, who are stationed at ZRP Borrowdale, Southerton, Harare PEC Admin and Dombotombo, stand accused of extortion.
On May 9, the court heard, the police officers, together with their accomplice Primrose Tarumbiswa, who has already been charged, and Prosper Chimbumu, who is still at large, connived to extort businessman Xie Haiyan.
Pursuant to their plan, Tarumbiswa called Haiyan, requesting to meet him.
She purported that she wanted to order some stuff from China.
Haiyan sent her his location on her WhatsApp.
On the same date, at around 5pm, Tarumbiswa met with Haiyan at the corner of Leopold Takawira and Josiah Tongogara Avenues.
She was driving a Toyota Vitz.
She allegedly invited Haiyan into her car and, immediately, her accomplices pounced.
They introduced themselves as police officers and accused Haiyan of dealing in illicit drugs, bulk diesel and foreign currency.
They advised him that he was under arrest and they took him into their other motor vehicle and drove away.
They demanded US$20 000 from him for his release.
He told them that he only had US$3000.
He gave them the US$3000 and, after his release, he filed a police report, which led to Tarumbiswa’s arrest.
She later implicated her accomplices.
They were all released on $50 000 bail and were ordered not to interfere with witnesses.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter