Elizabeth Tsuro, Midlands Reporter
A ROGUE police officer convicted of robbing a miner of 19 grams of gold and demanding $150 to give it back allegedly faked illness before absconding court.

Mberengwa Magistrate Christopher Maturure yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of Constable Tatenda Taruvinga.

Cst Taruvinga, based at Mberengwa Police Station, had pleaded not guilty to the charge. But following his conviction, Cst Taruvinga asked to be excused so that he could fetch his medication.

He claimed to be suffering from a serious headache.

Maturure ordered him to return to court in the afternoon for sentencing.

Cst Taruvinga, who was represented by lawyer Clever Shumba, did not show up resulting in the warrant of arrest being issued.

Prosecutor Wadzanai Shayanowako told the court on March 24 this year, Taruvinga together with seven other police officers were on duty patrolling the Vanguard area of Mberengwa.

Shayanowako told the court that while on patrol, they stopped a Honda Fit which was being driven by Pardon Makiwa.

She said Taruvinga searched the vehicle and found 19 grams of gold, which he took.

“Makiwa told Taruvinga that he had a valid gold permit granting him permission to keep the gold but had left it home,” said Shayanowako.

“Taruvinga then ordered Makiwa to come to Mberengwa Charge Office the following day with the permit and look for him if he wanted the gold back.”

The court heard Makiwa went to the police station to show him the permit and Taruvinga demanded a $150 payment to get his gold back.

Makiwa refused to pay and reported the matter to the officer in charge at Mberengwa Police Station leading to Taruvinga’s arrest.

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