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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
AN Esigodini police officer who demanded a $400 bribe from a suspect will serve the next 18 months in prison for extortion. Norman Madhumbu, 33, pleaded not guilty to extortion charges but was yesterday convicted by Matabeleland South provincial magistrate-in-charge Reuben Mukavhi for demanding a bribe from a villager while he was investigating the theft of gas cylinders.

He was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, but 18 months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.

The magistrate said although Madhumbu had denied the charges, state witnesses evidence was overwhelming and corroborative.

“I’d no reason to disbelieve their story. Taking evidence by state witnesses, the picture painted is that of complete extortion. Accused’s story doesn’t add up, accused was lying,” said Mukavhi.

In sentencing Madhumbu, the magistrate said he had taken into consideration that he was a first time offender who had a young family.

“You’re going to lose your job, that’s if you still have it. Jobs are hard to come by and this loss of your job will spell doom to you and your young family because your job was your source of living. You’ve harvested thorns,” said the magistrate.

“What’s aggravating is the fact that you’re a police officer. You’re a law enforcing agent and for you to breach the law is the highest degree of breach of trust. Indeed the question of who will police the police becomes pertinent.”

Magistrate Mukavhi said Madhumbu demanded a bribe from “unsophisticated” villagers who needed his protection.

“You acted in a very abhorable way. You’ve dug your own grave, made it very deep,” Mukavhi said.

Prosecuting, Edward Ndlovu said sometime last month, Madhumbu was investigating a case of theft of gas cylinders.

During the investigation, Madhumbu approached Norah Ndlovu, a suspect in the matter.

He demanded a bribe and threatened to arrest Ndlovu’s daughter Sithembiso if he was not paid.

He was given $50, but said it was not enough and wanted $400 more to save the suspect from arrest.

Ndlovu failed to raise the $400 and Madhumbu arrested the woman’s daughter and released her the following morning.

When Madhumbu continued demanding the bribe, Ndlovu reported the matter to the police and a trap was set.

On January, 29, Ndlovu informed him that she had managed to raise $200 and Madhumbu was arrested on the same day when he collected the money.