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TWO police officers allegedly stole US$78 000, which they had recovered from a robbery, with part of the loot being hidden in a maize field.
The duo, who are stationed at CID Stores and Business, appeared in court yesterday facing criminal abuse of duty charges.
Addmore Musiza and Tafara Machokoto appeared before magistrate Stanford Mambanje, who remanded them in custody to today, for bail considerations.
On March 31, the duo and their accomplice, Cornwell Jokonia, who is at large, were investigating Edward Mudowaya.
He had been arrested for stealing US$158 000 from National Foods Aspindale.
Mudowaya allegedly told the team of investigators that he had given the money to one Susan Jiri for safekeeping.
The three detectives went to Jiri’s house in Mbare where they recovered the money hidden in a bucket.
They shared the money among themselves and indicated that nothing was recovered when Mudawaya was taken to court.
CID Homicide received information that the trio had stolen the money and arrested Musiza and Machokoto.
Musiza led the police to the recovery of US$56 000, which he had buried in a maize field close to his house.
Machokoto led them to the recovery of US$20 000 he had given to his aunt for safe keeping.
Lancelot Mutsokoti prosecuted.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter