Three cops nabbed for extortion:

THREE police detectives stationed at CID Mutare allegedly teamed up with a civilian to squeeze US$400 from an illegal diamond dealer last week.

The trio - Sithandazile Ndlovu (35), Tendai Mudhari (35) and Lawrence Kashaya (38) - were jointly charged with Emmanuel Mapani.

They appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sheila Nezomba on Monday and were granted $5 000 bail each.

They were ordered to report every Friday at Mutare Central Police Station and not to go to their workplace until the case has been finalised.

The trial kicks off on July 13. District public prosecutor, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira said the four allegedly committed the offence on June 25.

“On the day in question at around 11am, the accused persons hatched a plan to extort money from the complainant, Romeo Charles Tembo (34) of Chikanga 1, Mutare.

“Mapani phoned the complainant saying he had a client who wanted to buy some diamonds. The complainant drove his car and picked up Mapani at Trek Service Station and was directed to Bloomwise Restaurant, where Mapani said he wanted to pick up the buyers, who happened to be Ndlovu and Mudhari,” said Mr Mutyasira. On arrival at the restaurant, Ndlovu and Mudhari got into the complainant’s vehicle and directed him to Macs Shopping Centre in Palmerstone. They then produced their police identification cards.

The two searched the complainant’s vehicle and found a small digital scale and a money dictator.

Kashaya then arrived at the shopping centre and handcuffed Tembo. He told the diamond dealer that he was under arrest for his illegal dealings.

The suspects demanded US$1 000 from Tembo so that they could release him. They even threatened to plant some diamonds in his car if he refused to give them the money.

“The complainant phoned Luckmore Chikowe, who gave him US$380. He added US$20 and gave the money to Mapani.

“Kashaya unhandcuffed Tembo and ordered him and Chikowe to drive off,” said Mr Mutyasira.