adminZvikomborero Parafini
HIGH Court prosecutor Henry Mugove Muringani has been convicted of criminal abuse of duty and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Muringani facilitated the release of four armed robbers on bail using false documents.
He was convicted after a full trial by Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, who sentenced him to 20 years and suspended eight years, leaving him to serve 12 years effective.
Giving reasons for the sentence, magistrate Gofa said Muringani was driven by greed and used his position to manipulate the justice system, and hence his moral blameworthiness was high.
The court heard that in December 2021, CID Homicide arrested Tatenda Tawanda Mutengo, who had been on the run since October that year, for armed robbery.
Mutengo was denied bail and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
His application was subsequently dismissed.
While in remand prison, Mutengo learnt that a National Prosecuting Authority official was assisting armed robbery, and other dangerous criminals, to get bail.
On January 29 last year, Mutengo’s uncle, Eliah Murenzvi visited him at remand, and he gave him a note with Muringani’s phone number.
Murenzvi called and met Muringani, and paid him US$500 in instalments of US$20, US$380 and US$100 respectively for his nephew’s bail.
On February 6 last year, Muringani phoned Murenzvi to collect documents for Mutengo to use in his bail application.
The papers related to a charge of attempted murder emanating from his unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.
On February 8, Mutengo appeared as a self-actor, using the fake papers from Muringani and was granted $5 000 bail.
The other CRB 12196/21, relating to his armed robbery charge was not captured in the bail release order, and he was sent back to remand prison.
On February 17, Muringani facilitated another bail application using CRB 12196/21, using a rape charge, and charged Murenzvi US$200.
Mutengo appeared in court for bail on February 23 as a self-actor using the forged papers, and was granted $10 000.
Police received this information and arrested Muringani, and discovered that he had used the same modus operandi to get three other armed robbers released on bail.
Muringani was once charged for attempted murder in 2014 after he allegedly ran over his wife with a car.
Online Reporter