Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 29-YEAR-OLD man who masqueraded as a police officer and operated from Tsholotsho police station for a year, has been put off remand to allow the State to access his docket.

Brighton Chamhanga appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Washaya yesterday facing two counts of impersonating a police officer.

Magistrate Tashaya placed Chamhanga off remand saying he would be summoned to court when the State was ready to start trial.

Chamhanga allegedly operated in the anti-stock theft unit and duped police officers into believing that he had been sent to investigate corruption within their ranks, hence they were afraid to verify his credentials.

He even managed to get married to a police officer who is stationed in Tsholotsho.

The prosecutor, Sikhumbuzo Sibanda, alleged that on August 8 last year at around 6PM at Tsholotsho Business Centre, Chamhanga approached Lillian Dube and introduced himself as a police officer.

“He went on to state that he had been recently transferred from ZRP Mutare and intended to transport his refrigerator to Tsholotsho though he had no money. Chamhanga then asked Dube to lend him $30 and she sent it via Eco-cash the money believing him to be a police officer,” said Sibanda.

“He, however, failed to pay back the money until Dube lodged a complaint with the Officer-in-Charge ZRP Tsholotsho, Chief Inspector Chapeyama. Chamhanga admitted owing Dube and paid back $10.”

Sibanda said sometime in July, Chamhanga accompanied Constable Nomalanga Mkhwananzi to clear stock bought by Anele Mkhwananzi at Ntulani Line.

“It was then that Constable Mkhwananzi became aware that Chamhanga had introduced himself to the stock buyer as a police officer. Chamhanga accompanied another police officer to clear stock and he introduced himself as a police officer,” said Sibanda.

“Chamhanga also accompanied Isabel Mahachi in search of a beast in Nanda Njube Line and introduced himself as a police officer holding a high rank under CID Stocktheft Tsholotsho. While conversing, a family approached him seeking advice on bail application and he demanded $50 to facilitate the bail application.”

Chamhanga allegedly failed to get the money from the family and advised them to return to him when they had it.

“Chamhanga later approached Chief Insp Chapeyama and informed him that he had been assigned by the officer commanding Lupane, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, to investigate corruption cases involving stock. He used that to have access to stock clearance forms which are security items,” said Sibanda.

Chamhanga’s luck ran out on July 30 when he questioned cattle buyers, acting in the capacity of a police officer.

“He went on to sign a stock clearance form but did not endorse his force number as is a requirement by police officers when signing official documents.”

Chamhanga was arrested on August 9.

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