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Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
FIVE Zvishavane police officers allegedly robbed a Mberengwa businesswoman of more than $1,000 while they were on an operation to arrest illegal gold panners in the area. The five cops, Roderick Matupire, 35, Langton Banda, 33, Mlungisi Ngwenya, 28, Dereck Vundla, 24, and Antony Magunje, 30, all stationed at Zvishavane Police Station yesterday appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire facing a charge of robbery.

They pleaded not guilty and were remanded out of custody to 9 February for continuation of trial.

The five law officers stand accused of robbing Thulani Ndlovu, a Mberengwa businesswoman, of $1,080.

It is alleged the police officers robbed Ndlovu while on an operation code-named “Operation Chikorokoza Chapera/Isitsheketsha Sesiphelile”.

For the state, Emmanuel Matosi said on October 23, 2013, Matupire, Banda, Ngwenya, Vundla and Magunje were assigned duties under the operation meant to arrest illegal gold panners at Ngoko Farm in Mberengwa.

The court heard that the farm owner Andrew Knot had lodged a complaint with the police that illegal gold panners had invaded his farm.

Matosi said Knot provided his truck to ferry the five police officers to his farm.

The court heard that upon arrival at a dip tank inside the farm where gold panning activities were taking place, the police officers found the place deserted.

Matosi said the five accused police officers only found tools which were used by panners.

The court heard that the illegal gold panners had already fled the scene after learning from their sources that the police planned to ambush them.

Matosi said as the police officers were searching for the gold panners, they came across Ndlovu who was walking along the road that passes through the farm to Gwengwena area.

The businesswoman was going to collect her money after selling clothes to villagers on credit.

The court heard that the police officers who were wearing civilian clothes introduced themselves as police officers to the complainant before one of the police officers slapped the complainant once on the cheek.

It is also alleged that another police officer went on to poke the complainant’s breasts with an object that Ndlovu failed to identify.

Matosi said one of the police officers allegedly grabbed Ndlovu’s handbag, searched it and took $1,080 before one of his colleagues ordered him to hand back $50 to the complainant.

The state alleged that the police officers also took 10 cigarette packs of Madison from the complainant.

Ndlovu reported the matter at Zvishavane Police Station.

The court heard that the station’s Officer-in-Charge then summoned all the police officers to a parade so that Ndlovu could identify the suspects.

Ndlovu identified the five accused who are all constables.

However, the five police officers denied the allegations and investigations later confirmed that they were indeed the culprits leading to their arrest.