Who will police the police?

and magistrate in order to steal US$4 375, appeared in court last Friday.
Ngoni Muzanenhamo (29) appeared before magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo facing fraud and theft charges.

According to State papers, Muzanenhamo was responsible for all deposits of fines for banking at the Mbare Magistrates’ Court, compiling charge sheets and being in custody of receipt books. Prosecutor Patience Chimasaru alleges that from the period extending from March 5 to June 7, 2010, Muzanenhamo received US$2 415 from fines, which he was supposed to bank at Mbare magistrates’ court.
It is alleged that after compiling the charge sheets, Muzanenhamo approached his officer-in-charge (name withheld) pretending that he wanted to bank the money.

The officer-in-charge signed and stamped the charge sheet, it is alleged.
After securing the officer-in-charge’s signature and date stamp, Muzanenhamo allegedly forged the clerk of court and magistrates’ signatures. It is alleged that he stamped the document with a fake date stamp purported to be the magistrates’ date stamp. Muzanenhamo allegedly originated a fake fine receipt purporting that it was issued by the fines officer at Mbare magistrates’ court upon deposit.

Muzanenhamo filed the copies in the station records, it is alleged. It is alleged that on September 22, 2010 an internal audit carried out from the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that the records were never banked. In the second count of theft, it is alleged that on September 10, 2010 the auditors from the Ministry of Home Affairs called the officer-in-charge to verify certain issues. The officer-in-charge went along with

Muzanenhamo to Mukwati Building since he was the one responsible for banking deposit fines. The auditors suggested they proceed to Mbare magistrates’ court to verify the deposit, it is alleged.
Muzanenhamo who was using his own vehicle allegedly excused himself, indicating that he wanted to pass through Southerton traffic police station to collect some receipts as proof of the deposit.
It was discovered that a total of US$1 960 in the safe, which was in his custody together with receipt books were missing, the court heard. After the alleged theft, Muzanenhamo left the safe keys in a drawer in his office and fled to South Africa. He was arrested at his home on February 1 this year upon his return from South Africa. The books and money were not recovered.