Three cops convicted of extorting US$5 500 from suspect

Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Three Harare police officers will perform 315 hours of community service at Seke North Clinic after they were convicted of extorting US$5 500 from a suspect to facilitate his release.
Tsitsi Mapako, Moment Maponde, and Robson Soma were initially sentenced to 18 months which were wholly suspended on condition that they restitute US$5 500 to the complainant.
Prosecutor Ms Dzidzai Josiah told the court that on April 21, 2021, the trio went to the complainant’s workplace and arrested her for fraud.
It was the State’s case that the trio interviewed the complainant over the case. However, she explained that the person involved in the fraud case was Taona Mhanda who was already in custody.
The trio exerted illegitimate pressure on the complainant as they demanded US$5 500 for her to be released.
The court heard that the complainant eventually paid them the money through Mapako.
The complainant was released instantly. She later made a report to the police, leading to the trio’s arrest.