adminMidlands Correspondent
THE two police officers who are facing a charge of abuse of office after they allegedly demanded $700 from a suspect were on Thursday remanded to 8 August for judgement by Gweru provincial magistrate, Mrs Pathekile Msipa. The two police officers, Jealous Munyati (35) and Andrew Konje (30) who are stationed at Mvuma Police Station denied the charges and are out on $50 bail each.
For the State, Mr Andrew Marimo told the court that on 24 June this year, a report of fraud was received at Mvuma Police Station from Mr Darlington Puze to the effect that Aniel Manyimo had sold his piece of land, Plot Number 93 to another person.
The court heard that on 2 July 2013, Konje and Munyati who were on duty called Manyimo and demanded some cash so that they could conceal the offence.
Mr Marimo said the two then received $20 from Manyimo but indicated that the money was too little and he should bring more.
It is the State’s case that on 4 July, Manyimo reported back to the two accused with another $50, which they accepted but again indicated that it was not enough.
The two then told Manyimo that he should raise $700 and bring it to the Gweru magistrate’s courts where his court case was supposed to be heard the following day, the court was told.
Mr Marimo said Manyimo reported the matter to a Superintendent Manhai who then set up a trap on the two.
The court was told that the two were arrested while receiving the $700 cash from Manyimo at the Gweru magistrate’s courts on 5 July.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter