Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court Writer
A police detective, Constable Collen Mwoyo, attached to the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Plumtree, who had been facing allegations of extortion involving US$1 000, has been found not guilty.
Detective Constable Mwoyo appeared for sentencing on Tuesday before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate, Mr Richard Ramaboea.
In his judgment, Mr Ramaboea said it was difficult to conclude that Mwoyo had taken the trap money.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zaac) officers did not plan effectively on how to carry out the trap. The trap money was found in Mwoyo’s car after the Zaac officers had dragged him out of his vehicle.
The accused’s defence counsel argued that Zaac officers planted the money in the accused person’s car, and I tend to believe that because the money was not found on the accused, but rather in the car after Zaac officers had dragged him out and arrested him.
“At the scene where the trap was carried out, there was Mr Munemo’s friend who had vowed that they would fix Mwoyo by getting him jailed. However, during cross-examination, Mr Munemo flatly denied that his friend was at the scene, which makes him an unreliable witness. The accused is found not guilty and acquitted,” said Mr Ramaboea.
Constable Mwoyo was arrested recently in Bulawayo after allegedly falling for a trap set by Zaac investigators while attempting to collect the outstanding balance of a bribe.
Representing the State, Mr Milton Moyo said Mwoyo targeted Mr Andrew Munemo, a businessman involved in mining and employed as a project manager by Posse Solutions Private Limited, whom he had arrested on September 23, 2025 for alleged robbery.
“On 23 September 2025, Detective Constable Mwoyo, who is attached to the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Plumtree, arrested Mr Andrew Munemo for alleged robbery. He then demanded US$1 000 from Munemo to avoid his detention and prosecution. Munemo gave him US$500,” said Mr Moyo.
The alleged extortion continued two days later, even as the legal process moved forward.“On 25 September 2025, the officer took Munemo to court for an interview with prosecutors. Afterwards, he demanded the outstanding balance and was given US$200,” said Mr Moyo.
The police officer later allegedly threatened the complainant to force full payment.
“On 10 October 2025, Detective Constable Mwoyo took the complainant to court for an initial remand hearing because he had failed to pay the remaining money. The officer also threatened him with imprisonment.
On 13 October, the police officer called Munemo and informed him that he was in Bulawayo to collect the remaining money. Munemo then reported the matter to Zaac and a trap was set, leading to the arrest of Detective Constable Mwoyo after he received US$120 at Bellevue Shopping Centre,” said Mr Moyo.
