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Emily Mbewe Court Reporter
A PUPIL at Founders High School in Bulawayo landed himself in trouble with the law after he posed as a police officer and demanded a hawker’s licence from a street vendor who was selling sweets and airtime.

Gift Luther Moyo, 18, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to impersonating a police officer by Bulawayo magistrate, Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.

Moyo was, however, fortunate as he escaped with a caution and was discharged.

“This is a serious offence that can attract a long jail term. You’re a pupil meaning you’ve to concentrate on your studies. You’re therefore cautioned and discharged. Don’t commit a similar offence again,” said Msipa-Marondedze.

Moyo had told the court in mitigation that he was a pupil and did not know that he was committing a crime.

“Your worship I’m a student and l didn’t know l was committing a crime. I thought I was just trying to scare him off when l introduced myself as a police officer. l didn’t know that it was against the law. l beg for forgiveness,” said Moyo.

The State’s case as presented by Nkathazo Dlodlo is that on April 18, at around 5PM along George Silundika Street and 11th Avenue, Amos Munda was selling sweets and airtime.

Dlodlo told the court that Moyo approached Munda and told him that he was under arrest.

The court heard that Moyo introduced himself as Sergeant Manyonga and demanded to see Munda’s hawkers’ licence.

“Munda requested to see Moyo’s police identity card which he failed to produce,” said Dlodlo.

He said Moyo grabbed Munda by the collar and told him that he was wasting his time as he had other things to do.

Munda, said Dlodlo, spotted a police officer who was on patrol and approached him. He narrated his ordeal leading to Moyo’s arrest.