US$200 ‘bribe’ prosecutor granted bail

A PUBLIC prosecutor from the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court, located at the Tredgold Building, has been arrested on allegations of demanding a US$200 bribe.

The prosecutor, Bhekimpilo Moyo (35) allegedly solicited the bribe from the sister of an accused individual, promising a favourable outcome in the case in exchange for payment. Moyo on Wednesday appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Shingai Mutiro on bribery charges and was remanded out of custody to July 31 on US$300 bail.

As part of the bail conditions, Moyo was ordered to continue residing at his given address and to report twice a week at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) police anti-corruption unit at Bulawayo Central Police Station. He was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses.

The prosecutor, Mr Jethro Mada, said on July 10 during one of his legal proceedings, Moyo demanded a bribe from one Ms Betty House whose brother was in court facing a charge of malicious damage to property.

“On July 10, 2024, the accused was on duty at the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court at Tredgold Building where he was prosecuting the complainant’s brother.

“It was during Ms House’s interaction with Moyo that he invited her to his office and demanded a bribe of US$200 so that the complainant’s brother secured a favourable outcome,” he said.

Moyo allegedly threatened Ms House that her brother would receive a harsh sentence of 10 to 25 years if the payment was not made.

Moyo allegedly accepted an initial sum of US$50 on the day of the incident and the remaining US$150 the following day.

He later demanded an additional US$250, which Ms House was unable to pay.

The woman secretly recorded their conversation using her phone before she reported the matter to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest.

Moyo was represented by Mr Bob Siansole and Mr Ndabezinhle Sibanda of Messrs Shenje and Company Legal Practitioners