$57k cops heist new twist
A POLICE special constabulary stationed at Mbare has been arrested after being implicated in a case in which six policemen reportedly connived with five civilians and mounted a fake roadblock in Belvedere, Harare and robbed an Indian businessman of $57 000.
Bekezela Masuku (44) allegedly used his vehicle, a Honda Fit, pretending to drive in front of Mr Junaid Pervaiz’s car and was allegedly paid $1 000 for the job by the masterminds of the deal.
The court heard yesterday that his car was the first one to be stopped and “searched” before the gang robbed Mr Pervaiz who was following behind.
Masuku led the police to the recovery of a television set that he had bought with the proceeds of the crime.
His alleged accomplices, Dickson Morosi (32), Kundai Makwarimba (35) and Fortune Sibanda (29) have since appeared in court facing similar charges and were denied bail. Seven other suspects are on the run.
Masuku yesterday appeared before Mr Tendai Mahwe charged with robbery.
He was remanded in custody to August 18 after prosecutor Mr George Manokore opposed bail.
According to the State, the gang knew that Mr Pervaiz was transporting money from his shop to his house in Belvedere and hatched a plan to rob him.
Makwarimba and Sibanda are stationed at Harare Central Police Station and Police Protection Unit Escorts at Morris Depot respectively while Morosi’s brother — who was still at large — is also a policeman.
Acting in connivance and in pursuance to their plan, the gang, the court heard, drove in a silver Toyota Spacio and a Honda Fit both without registration number plates and waylaid their victim along Hudson Road, Belvedere.
They had mounted a fake roadblock with two of them wearing police uniforms and traffic reflective sleeves. As the complainant approached the “roadblock” while driving his Toyota Runx, he was flagged down by the gang and he complied.
The court further heard that they forcibly pulled out his car keys from the ignition and searched his vehicle. They found a black satchel that was at the back passenger’s seat and demanded to know its contents. One of the accused persons then opened the satchel and found cash amounting to $56 800. They suddenly grabbed the bag and jumped into their getaway cars and drove off at high speed.