Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THREE Harare municipal police officers were yesterday arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing charges of criminal abuse of office, criminal negligence causing malicious damage to property and theft.
Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai remanded the trio Nelson Magaya (36), Munyaradzi Matanga (32) and Salome Chapotoka (23) in custody to today pending bail ruling.
Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara told the court that on September 16 this year, Henward Marova, a ZRP officer, was driving his vehicle towards Highlands, which ran out of fuel and he decided to pull over at a premise along Herbert Chitepo Road.
Marova reportedly crossed the road while waiting for assistance from a colleague he had contacted.
Kangara alleges that while he was waiting, Magaya arrived at the scene driving a Harare Municipal Police Vehicle marked Harare Traffic.
The municipal officers disembarked, went to Marova’s vehicle and informed him that he had parked his vehicle in an undesignated place.
The court heard that Marova explained his problem to the officers, adding that he was waiting for assistance, while identifying himself.
The accused allegedly demanded a US$25 bribe threatening to tow his vehicle if he failed to comply.
The court heard that Marova told them that he had US$10, but Magaya allegedly insisted that he should increase the amount to US$20 since it was the complainant’s payday.
A misunderstanding reportedly ensued and Magaya instructed his colleagues to clamp Marova’s vehicle.
Chapotoka allegedly occupied the driver’s seat, intending to drive the vehicle, but she failed since it had run out of fuel.
It is alleged that the municipal officers barred Marova from accessing his belongings in the vehicle or close the windows, saying they were in control.
The trio reportedly received some money, but did not issue Marova a ticket for the alleged offence.
On the theft charges, Marova’s vehicle was moved to the municipality’s central stores, where Marova went and paid a fine.
However, when he went to collect his vehicle, he reportedly discovered that US$530, a workmate’s laptop, car keys, two power packs and some groceries worth US$135 were missing.
After asking for his missing items, Marova was reportedly told that it was not the trio’s duty to safeguard them.
Nothing was recovered.
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