ZRP Mamina’s Constables Tendai Manjengwa, Blessing Mabwe, Emmanuel Matutu and Humprehy Katsamba are facing arrest for Criminal Abuse of Duty As Public Officials as defined in Section 174 of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act Chapter 9:23.
A Police internal communication revealed that the four accused persons are serving members of Police and stationed at Z.R.P Mamina.
On 18 August 2024, the four accused persons proceeded to Chirasavana Business Centre, Mamina where they arrested four complainants for unlawful possession of dagga as defined in section 157 of the Criminal law [codification and reform] Act Chapter 9:23.
Complainant 1 was in possession of 04 dagga sachets, Complainant 2 had 70 dagga sachets, Complainant 3 had 13 sachets and complainant 4 had 01 sachet.
The police officers took complainants to police station where they solicited for US$60-00 and US$30 from two of the complainants and later on released them without pressing any charges against them.
The officers confiscated the dagga.
One of the complainant was released on condition that she should bring US$200-00 on the following day.
The four officers solicited and took US$112 from the last complainant.
Instead of charging her with unlawful possession of dagga, they charged her for C/s 71(1)(b) of the Public Health Act Chapter 3:09 ,’NO MEDICAL CERTIFICATE’ and made a her to pay a fine of US$15-00, Z69(j) 2492357A refers.
The police officers once again confiscated the dagga.
On 19 August 2024 at about 0900 hours, the complainant who was tasked to raise $200, returned to ZRP Mamina where she met the four accused persons and advised them that she had managed to raise US$130-00.
The accused persons took the money and receipted US$30-00 for unlawful possession of dagga, z69(j) 2492358A refers and pocketed US$100-00.
On 21 August 2024, a tip off was received to the effect that accused persons had solicited for bribes from complainants and investigations carried out led to the arrest of the accused persons.
Exhibit book was checked and it was noted that the dagga was not booked in Exhibit book.
The accused police officers failed to account for the recovered dagga including the one which a fine was paid for.
Three of the police officers on 24 August appeared at Kadoma Magistrate Court before Magistrate Nyika Kumbirai and yhe state being represented by Prosecutor Trish Kapombeza.
They were remanded in custody to 27 August 2024 for bail ruling.
Constable Matutu escaped before he was arrested and efforts are being made to apprehend him.
Matter is being investigated under Mamina CR 48/08/24 CID Kadoma DR 35/08/24 CRB KADR 244-6/24.