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Masvingo Court Correspondent
A POLICE officer attached to the Prosecutor General’s Office at the Masvingo magistrates’ court was arrested for allegedly soliciting a 900 rand bribe to facilitate the release of a suspect facing a charge of domestic violence.Tafirei Tandirayi, who is an assistant inspector, was jointly charged with another police officer, George Ferendende, 31, on allegation of criminal abuse of duty.
The two police officers were not asked to plead when they appeared before Masvingo magistrate Langton Ndokera last week. They were remanded out of custody to tomorrow for trial.
Prosecuting, Elson Chavarika told the court that on February 1, 2014, at about 10AM, Tandirayi and Ferendende allegedly demanded $100 from Nyasha Kwashira on the understanding that they would help finalise his case without him appearing in court.
One of the State witnesses, Loveness Machele of Rujeko C suburb said she gave Kwashira 900 rand, which he then gave to Tandirayi.
The court heard that Ferendende had initially demanded $150 so that Kwashira would not appear in court.
However, Kwashira’s family failed to raise the money. Ferendende is said to have re-detained Kwashira and the case was taken to court.
When the matter was referred to court, Tandirayi allegedly demanded 900 rand upfront so that he could clear Kwashira of the charges.
Kwashira then gave the pair 900 rand. Police detectives received a tip off and arrested the pair. Tandirayi and Ferendende are being represented by Rodney Makawusi of Saratoga Law Chambers and Phillip Shumba of Mutendi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, respectively.
Online Reporter