adminBeitbridge magistrate Mrs Auxilia Chiumburu heard this when Reuben Kangausaru (43), an assistant inspector and member-in-charge of Tshitulipasi Police Post, Reston Marimbike (27), a sergeant, and Ronald Musasa (28), a constable, appeared before her facing a charge of extortion as defined in Section 134 (1) of the Criminal Law (Reform and Codification) Act.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded out of custody to 21 March on $100 bail each.
As part of the bail conditions, they were also ordered to reside at their given addresses until the matter has been finalised as well as not interfere with investigations.
The prosecutor, Mr Reason Mutimba, said on 23 June last year, the complainant was driving a Toyota truck which was towing a trailer loaded with 100 boxes of cigarettes in
Tshitulipasi area, east of the border town.
The complainant was spotted by the three police officers while allegedly trying to smuggle the consignment into South Africa through an undesignated entry point along the Limpopo River.
The complainant, who was in the company of another man who was also driving a similar truck, were arrested by the accused persons.
The three police officers ordered the two men to drive to the police post where they demanded R25 000 so that they could release them.
The complainant offered to give the three police officers R5 000 and they refused and detained the two men in the cells.
The court heard that the following day, the owner of the cigarettes, Henry Chikwavira, got information that the contraband had been intercepted by police. He proceeded to Tshitulipasi Police Post and approached the accused persons.
He pleaded with Kangausaru to release the complainant and his colleague from the cells and offered to pay R9 000 and the two men were freed.
However, the police officers insisted that they wanted the initial amount.
Soon after his release, the complainant went to Beitbridge Police Station where he reported the matter leading to the trio’s arrest.
Online Reporter