Two members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) who allegedly stole US$23 000 from a miner in Luveve suburb in Bulawayo have been arraigned before the courts.
A court heard that the police officers, in the company of one other accomplice who is still on the run, pounced on the miner (whose name was not supplied in court) and drove with him to Luveve police station as a cover up to ‘legitimise’ their seizure of his money before later releasing him.
Joseph Marirangombe (29), stationed at ZRP Bulawayo Central and Tafadzwa Sibanda (31) stationed at CID stores Bulawayo are each facing a theft charge.
Through their lawyer, Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers, the pair were granted ZWL$3000 bail each.
Western Commonage Magistrate Gladmore Mushowe remanded them to September 11.
State representative, Keneth Shava narrated to the court that on August 4 2020, the cops, in the company of one accomplice who is still at large, proceeded to 4561 Gwabalanda.
“Upon arrival, they introduced themselves as police officers and were looking for the complainant’s cousin only known as Prince whom they wanted to interview,” Shava said.
“After being told that he was not around, they handcuffed the complainant and searched the house, after switching on the light they took a detector and cash amounting to US$23 000.”
Shava said the trio informed the miner that he was under arrest for illegal gold dealing and asked him to accompany them to Luveve police station.
“The parked outside the station and later told him they were releasing him pending further investigations. They gave him back the detector and remained with the cash, claiming they wanted to investigate its origins,” he said.
“Marirangombe kept calling the complainant, telling him they were still investigating the origins of the cash. Complainant ended up doubting accused story and made a report to the police, leading to the arrest of the two.”
Shava said during investigations, the miner positively identified the two police officers and the car which was being driven by Sibanda.
