Zimpapers Logo

Simbarashe Nhandu

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
A JUNIOR cop based at Fort Rixon Police Station appeared in court yesterday for allegedly stealing $10 which was part of the $50 fines money.

Simbarashe Nhandu, 31, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya facing a theft charge.

He was remanded in custody to February 29 pending trial.

Prosecuting, Nomagugu Ncube, said on January 30 this year, Nhandu was on duty when he received $50 raised through fines.

The court heard that Nhandu stole $10 before he plucked off a page from a book where the fines were receipted to conceal the alleged crime.

Investigations by his superiors led to the discovery of the alleged crime. Nhandu led police to the place where he had thrown the torn pieces of the Z69 occurrence book.

A number of police officers have appeared in court in recent months for various crimes.

Last year in October, five Bulawayo traffic cops were arrested for allegedly soliciting for bribes at a roadblock in Nkulumane suburb.

The five cops, Zodwa Takawira, 29, an assistant inspector, Zvinoitirweyi Masakwata,29, Severino Mutote,26, Courage Lice, 27, and Hilda Murombedzi, 24, all constables stationed at Nkulumane ZRP Traffic also appeared before Tashaya facing charges of extortion and their case is still pending.

The officers who were on duty manning a roadblock along Masiyephambili Road near Nkulumane Complex, were arrested following a trap which was set by an internal investigations team from ZRP headquarters in Harare.