A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer who was arrested for allegedly robbing a civilian of USD$120 on Valentine’s Day has been further remanded while awaiting the commencement of his trial.
Nqobani Ncube (30) stationed at Mbembesi is out of custody on a $100 bail.
Bulawayo Magistrate Sithembile Ncube remanded the officer to March 13 for the commencement of trial.
Ncube, through his lawyer Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers, pleaded not guilty to a robbery charge.
The court heard Ncube and two other officers who were clad in police gab allegedly trailed Sidumisile Ntini to his house in Suburbs using an unregistered Mercedes Benz.
The State alleges Ncube and his accomplices approached Ntini and accused him of having picked up a prostitute along 15th avenue.
The court heard they allegedly shoved Ntini into their vehicle and drove him to Drill Hall police station where they searched his pockets and fished out $120 United States Dollars.
For the State, Constance Mathaba said upon arrival at the police station, Ncube took the money claiming he would use it to “negotiate” with his bosses to free him.
“The three introduced themselves as Detective Inspector Nyakudya and Constables Shoko and Dube. Two of the police officers were in uniform save for Ncube,” said Mathaba.
She added: “Ncube went into Drill Hall and never came back. He was then followed by another accomplice who went and never came out. The other accomplice instructed Ntini to stay put while he went to check on what was holding his colleagues.”
Mathaba said none of the three ever came back to check on Ntini and that was when he realised he had been robbed.
“Ntini got out of the car and went to Central Police station where he made a report. On February 15, Ntini spotted Ncube in the car he had used the previous night along Robert Mugabe between 14th and 15th Ave,” she said.
Mathaba said Ntini notified the police leading to Ncube`s arrest.
