An officer at Glen View Police Station was yesterday acquitted of abuse of office after a trial judge found there was insufficient evidence to prove he received an $80 bribe to release suspected kidnappers from detention cells.
Mafua Joseph (48) was facing abuse of criminal charges before Harare magistrate, Ms Verisi Chakanyoka.
The state’s case was that Mafua demanded a bribe to release three men who had allegedly kidnapped and stolen money from Tinashe Tawamberwa of Southley Park in Harare.
In her ruling, the judge noted that a police officer called by the state as a witness testified that he examined the list and failed to find the names of the suspected kidnappers.
“The State failed to provide evidence that the accused demanded US$80 from a Brighton Mutandwa and the accused was therefore found not guilty and acquitted,” Judge Chakanyuka ruled.
The allegations were that on March 17 last year Mafua was in charge of the RG Market Square base when Mr Tawamberwa reported a case of theft and kidnapping against an all-round passenger crew including Richard Mudzveti, Nyasha Chitambwe and a third identified only as Duraid, who remains at large.
The three were allegedly arrested and detained in the detention cells of the base, a report was prepared at the base and their kumbi was booked as evidence in that report of kidnapping and robbery.
Mafua advised Mr Tawambwa to pursue his case at Harare Central Police the next day.
“The omnibus passenger crew manager, Brighton Mutambwe, allegedly came to the base and approached Mafua who demanded US$80 to facilitate the release of the alleged trio with their omnibus passengers, the court was told.
The allegations were that Mafua released the three and the kombi without handing over any receipts to the director, which was illegal and contrary to his duties.
When Mr Tawambirwa pursued his case, Harare Central Police ZRP Assistant Inspector Kopje Mushangwe told him that there was no record of the alleged kidnappers which prompted him to file a report at Harare Central against Mafuwa. Announce
