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Fungai Jachi Court Correspondent
A police officer stationed at Queen’s Park Police Station in Bulawayo yesterday appeared in a Harare Magistrates’ Court after he allegedly stole a laptop worth $350. Tawedzerwa Cletous Chanda of No. 2 Runyararo Street, Mbare, in Harare appeared before Mbare magistrate Mr Reward Kwenda charged with unlawful entry under aggravating circumstances.He denied the allegations.
Mr Kwenda remanded him in custody to tomorrow for judgment. Chanda argued he was not the one who had stolen the laptop but was a victim of circumstances as he had bought stolen property. “I do admit that I was found in possession of the laptop but it is because I had bought it from someone else. I am not a thief. I am a policeman and I am based at Queen’s Park Police Station in Bulawayo,” he argued.
Prosecutor Mr Fanuel Madanhire alleged that on November 3 around 1pm, Chanda went to Antony Moore’s house. It is alleged that Moore was not at home. The court heard that Chanda gained entry into Moore’s house by forcing open the locked door. Allegations are that while inside Chanda stole an Acer laptop which was on the bed and fled.
It is the State’s case that Chanda was seen by Moore’s neighbour while fleeing. Moore was later informed by his neighbour that he had seen Chanda leaving his house with a laptop, the court heard. The matter was reported to the police leading to Chanda’s arrest.
The laptop was recovered from Chanda’s room. Meanwhile, a Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority employee yesterday appeared in court after he allegedly assaulted and unlawfully detained a man he suspected of having stolen fish.
Abel Nzaka (33) of Lake Chivero North Bank appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Gladys Moyo charged with assault and unlawful detention. Ms Moyo remanded him to November 30 on $50 bail.
As part of his bail conditions, Nzaka was ordered not to interfere with witnesses and to reside at the address he gave to the court. Prosecutor Mr Tafara Chirambira alleged that on September 30 this year, at around 7pm, Tavengwa Manyumwa (34) was driving to White House Shopping Centre when he was intercepted by Nzaka.
The court heard that Nzaka ordered Manyumwa to stop his car as he suspected he was carrying fish. It is alleged that Manyumwa refused to stop and Nzaka followed him. It is the State’s case that Manyumwa disembarked from his car when they reached Rydale Ridge Park and was arrested by Nzaka who went on to assault him.
Nzaka allegedly searched Manyumwa’s car but did not find any fish. The State further alleged that Nzaka went on to phone his superiors who ordered him to release Manyumwa since there was no evidence that he was in possession of fish.
Nzaka, however, handcuffed Manyumwa and took him to Lake Chivero National Parks Camp where he detained him in a holding cell for the night, the court heard. It is alleged that Nzaka did not enter Manyumwa’s detention in their crime book.
After his release, Manyumwa reported the matter to the police leading to Nzaka’s arrest.
Online Reporter