Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Three Harare Municipal Police officers appeared in court on Tuesday, facing charges of criminal abuse of office.
Nelson Magaya (36), Munyaradzi Matanga (32) and Salome Chapotoka (23) were also charged with malicious damage to property and theft when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai, who remanded them in custody to Wednesday November 26, 2025 for bail application.
For the State, Ms Nomsa Kangara told the court that on September 16 this year, 2025, the complainant Henward Marova, a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer, was driving his vehicle Honda Fit, proceeding to the Criminal Investigations Unit in Highlands when his vehicle ran out of fuel and he decided to pull off the road at NetOne premises along Herbert Chitepo Street.
He then went across the road while waiting for assistance from a colleague whom he had contacted. Prosecutor Kangara alleged that while Marova was waiting, Magaya arrived driving a Harare Municipal Police car marked “Harare Traffic” with two workmates.
The municipality officers disembarked and went to Marova’s car, informing him that he had parked his vehicle at an undesignated parking place.
It is alleged that Marova explained to his problem and told them that he was waiting for someone to rescue him and even showed them his police identification card.
The accused persons demanded US$25 from the complainant after they threatened to tow his vehicle if he failed to comply.
The court heard that Marova told the accused that he only had US$10. Magaya insisted that he should increase it to US$20 since it was the complainant’s pay day.
A misunderstanding arose. Magaya instructed his colleagues to clamp Marova’s car and Chapotoka went on to occupy the driver’s seat, intending to drive the vehicle, but she failed since it had run out of fuel.
The court heard that the municipal officers stopped Marova from taking his belongings that were in the car or even closing the windows, claiming they were now in control of the vehicle and would do everything to protect it.
The accused were given money but did not issue the complainant a ticket for the offence he had committed.
On the theft charge, it is alleged that on September 16 this year, Marova’s vehicle was moved to Central Stores, Harare Municipality, and the complainant went and paid the fines.
When he went to collect his car, he discovered that the accused had stolen his US$530, his workmate’s laptop, car keys, his laptop valued at US$400 and a Musungo power bank as well as groceries worth US$135.
It is alleged that the complainant asked for his belongings, which were missing and he was told that it was not the duty of the accused to safeguard them, yet they were the ones who prevented him from collecting his belongings when he wanted to.
