US$3k bribe magistrate further remanded

A GWANDA-based magistrate, Talent Phiri (35), was yesterday further remanded in custody on bribery allegations.

Phiri, who allegedly solicited a US$3 000 bribe in a case he was overseeing, appeared in court yesterday and was remanded to September 19 for trial when he appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Mr Matthew Mutiro.

The prosecutor, Mrs Tarisai Mutarisi, said the bribery incident stems from a domestic violence case Phiri was handling.

On August 27, Phiri granted an interim protection order in favour of Ms Qiniso Ncube against her ex-husband, Mr Lungisani Twominutes Ncube.

However, on September 4, Phiri allegedly solicited a bribe from Mr Ncube to assist him in the case.
It was revealed that Phiri claimed that members of the President’s Office, the National Prosecuting Authority and Zimbabwe Republic Police wanted Mr Ncube jailed.

Phiri initially demanded US$3 000 but later agreed to a lower sum of US$2 500 after negotiating with the complainant.

The court heard that Phiri instructed Mr Ncube to bring the money to his residence in Gwanda early the following day.

During their phone conversations, Mr Ncube recorded audio evidence of the bribery demands and subsequently reported the matter to the police.

“During the cellphone conversation, Phiri instructed the complainant to bring the money to his place of residence in Gwanda at around 6am the following day and he gave him directions.

Lungisani made audio recordings with his cellphone during the conversations with the accused,” said Mrs Mutarisi.

Acting on the information, police set up a trap and accompanied the complainant to Phiri’s residence, where they arrested him after he had received the money. The bribe was found in Phiri’s boxer shorts pocket.