adminPatrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
A PRISON officer and a court interpreter have each been jailed for five months after they were convicted of receiving a $200 bribe to facilitate the release of a rape suspect from custody.
Kudakwashe Ndebele, 34, a Class 2 Prison Officer based at Whawha Maximum Prison and Welcome Phiri, a Gweru Magistrate’s Court interpreter, appeared before magistrate, Tayengwa Chibanda, each facing one count of criminal abuse of office as public officers.
The duo pleaded not guilty, but were convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
They were each sentenced to 12 months in prison, but seven months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
For the State, Mirirai Shumba said in April this year, Ndebele received $200 from Innocencia Murakwani, a relative of a rape suspect, Admire Gambiza.
She said Ndebele and Phiri shared the bribe.
The court heard that the matter came to light after magistrate Judith Taruvinga, who had initially remanded Gambiza in custody, heard that Phiri was using her name to solicit for a bribe.
“Taruvinga called Phiri and questioned him in the presence of other colleagues and that’s when he apologised and revealed that he had got $100 from Ndebele for the release of Gambiza from custody,” she said.
Online Reporter