Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza | Herald Correspondent
TWO Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers have appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty after allegedly demanding money from a Chinese national in exchange for his release.
Prosper Chimbumu (35), who is stationed at Borrowdale Police Station, and Paradzai Matubu (34), based at Mukumbura Police Station, appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Jessie Kufa.
The complainant in the matter is Lin Qi Hui, a Chinese national.
The State alleges that on June 1, 2026, Lin was travelling along Teign Road in Borrowdale in the company of fellow Chinese national Manliang Zhang and Ashling Marodza, an employee of Senta Bricks Company.
Upon reaching the French School in Borrowdale, the two accused officers, who were dressed in civilian clothes, allegedly signalled for the vehicle to stop.
However, the complainant ignored the instruction after the men failed to identify themselves as police officers.
The court heard that Chimbumu and Matubu, who were travelling in a Honda Fit registration number AGC 3312, pursued and overtook the vehicle before ordering its occupants to stop.
After stopping the vehicle, the pair allegedly identified themselves as police officers from ZRP Milton Park who had been deployed to verify the immigration status and permits of Chinese nationals.
Zhang reportedly produced his permit, while Lin informed the officers that he had left his documentation at home. The accused allegedly demanded US$600 from Lin in exchange for his release.
Suspicious of their conduct, Marodza contacted Superintendent Mashiri to verify whether the two men were indeed police officers.
The court heard that Matubu identified himself to Superintendent Mashiri as Constable Muzorewa from Borrowdale Traffic. This raised suspicion because traffic officers do not enforce immigration-related offences.
Superintendent Mashiri subsequently dispatched a team from CID Harare to verify the identities and actions of the accused officers. Prosecutors allege that Chimbumu and Matubu later increased their demand and instructed the complainant to contact friends to raise US$1 000 for his release.
When no money was forthcoming, the accused allegedly drove the complainant to Sky Plaza in Borrowdale, where they continued demanding payment while waiting for his friends.
Unknown to them, the complainant’s associates were stalling for time to allow detectives to arrive.
After failing to obtain the money, the accused officers drove the complainant to ZRP Milton Park Police Station, where they formally placed him under arrest for allegedly contravening Section 29 of the Immigration Act.
While being transported to the station, the complainant reportedly activated Google Maps live location sharing, enabling his friends and detectives to track his movements.
His associates teamed up with police detectives and followed the officers to Milton Park Police Station, where Chimbumu and Matubu were arrested as they were handing over the complainant.
Investigations allegedly established that the two officers were not on official duty at the time and had no authority to conduct the arrest or demand money from the complainant.
The State further alleges that they had no lawful basis to solicit payment in exchange for the complainant’s release.
Peter Tanyanyiwa