Munyaradzi Kutsirai (34), Peter Kaguru (39), who are both
police constables, were facing bribery charges.
They were acquitted by Gweru Magistrate Ms Ruvimbo Murandu
after she noted inconsistencies in the State’s case. Kutsirai and Kaguru,
through their lawyer Mr Esau Mandipa of Mutatu and Mandipa Law Chambers, had
pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“All five State witnesses who were called by the State to
give evidence gave different versions of the same case. There were also
inconsistencies in the denominations of the bills that were said to have been
handed to the accused persons,” said Ms Murandu.
According to court papers, it was stated that on September
18, Kutsirai and Kaguru who are detectives attached to the minerals, flora and
fauna unit, allegedly solicited and
demanded US$480 from Siphephile Ndlovu after they spotted the complainant at a
local wholesale near Gweru Central Police Station.
The court heard that US$280 was handed over to Kutsirai at
Silver dry car sale opposite Gweru Central Police Station and another US$200 at
Metro Peech wholesale in Gweru.
“The bribe was paid to facilitate the release of Mthokozisi
Sibanda and Fana Gumbo who had been arrested for the theft of coal,” read the
court papers.
On September 16 shortly before 5 PM, Kutsirai arrested and
detained Sibanda and Gumbo at Gweru Central under detention book numbers
3317/21 and 3316/21 respectively. Two days later, James Chiza, a friend of
Sibanda visited the two detectives at their offices at Development House to
enquire about the theft case.
Chiza met the two when they were going out of their office
and Kutsirai allegedly told him to bring US$600 so that they facilitate the
release of Sibanda and Gumbo.
“On the same day, Chiza met Sibanda’s mother and wife at
Gweru Central Police station and told them that the arresting officers wanted
US$500 to facilitate the release of Sibanda and Gumbo,” read court papers.
That same day, Sibanda and Gumbo were taken to court.
Sibanda’s mother and wife were asked to follow them to court.
While Kaguru was in court with the two accused persons,
Kutsirai approached Chiza and allegedly asked him if they had US$500.
Chiza allegedly went to Silver Dry car sale opposite Gweru
Central Police station where a black Honda Fit vehicle was parked and Kutsirai
was car handed over US$280.
Kutsirai said the money was not enough before Sibanda’s
mother called her uncle who send US$200 through a mobile money agency.
The money was handed over to the two police officers. The
matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Kutsirai and Kaguru. Chronicle
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