Chief magistrate Hlekani Mwayera said she sentenced Marshal Mutigwa (27) from the CIO, Jason Mapiye (39) and Alex Bhunu (39), both police officers, and Takawira Takawira(31) a member of the army, to jail terms for abusing their positions.
She said the custodial sentence would deter would-be offenders in the security sector.
The four, in May 2009, approached a Mozambican national, Francisco John Gomes, at his residence in Florida where they demanded to search for diamonds. The officers searched the house and stole US$500 from Gomes. On May 22, the court was told that the four met Gomes in Greenside and requested to go and search his house again, but he refused and told them that he wanted to phone someone at Criminal Investigation Department before they proceeded.
The four refused and threatened him with arrest and Gomes offered them US$100, which they refused.
The court heard that the four accused demanded as much as US$17 000 and Gomes told them he did not have the money, but could get it from a friend in town. He instead phoned the CID Mutare who reacted swiftly and arrested the four.
Post published in: News