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Thandeka Moyo  Court Reporter
A DETECTIVE with 24 years  experience in the police force was yesterday fined $500 (or six months in jail) for fraud involving $30.
Saul Mutepaire, 43, who apparently never rose through the ranks as he was still a constable, forged Police Clearance forms after receiving $30 which he converted to his own use. Passing sentence, regional Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere said the court expected better from people in public offices.

“The evidence that was led in this court shows that you never receipted the $30 you received from Fortunate Moyo who wanted a clearance for her mother-in-law. You did not even send the documents to Harare and it is clear that the document we have in court as exhibit one was forged,” said magistrate Mberewere.

He said in coming up with the sentence, the court considered the disciplinary procedures within the police force arising from Mutepaire’s conviction.

“Though you defrauded someone of $30, your sentence must eat into your pocket so we send a message to like-minded law enforcers who abuse office. You will therefore pay $500 as a fine or face six months of imprisonment,” he said.

“Further you are sentenced to 12 months which are wholly suspended for five years on condition that you do not commit a similar crime.”

Mutepaire was represented by Prince Butshe-Dube of Mcijo, Dube and Partners. In mitigation, Butshe-Dube said his client was a first time offender and a married father of five schoolgoing children.

“Your Worship, he has been in the force for the past 24 years and the conviction itself is enough as punishment for his offence. He is a first time offender and the sole breadwinner in his family,” said Butshe-Dube.

Prosecuting, Trust Muduma told the court that on May 2, 2013 at the CID Scenes of Crime offices, Mutepaire was approached by Moyo who wanted her mother-in -law’s Police Clearance forms processed.

After completing the forms, he received $30 from Moyo for the certificate. On May, 4, around 12PM during the same year at his office, Mutepaire handed Moyo the document. Investigations also showed that the certificate was not original.