Zimbabwe News Online: Bogus ZRP officer arrested after taking street fighters to police station

Bogus ZRP officer arrested after taking street fighters to police station
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Chronicle on 07 September, 2010 01:06:00
 
This was after the arresting detail had discovered that he was masquerading as a
policeman. Bulawayo magistrate, Mr Abednicho Dube, who has since left the bench
for greener pastures, heard this at the initial appearance of Zephaniah Jekese
(41), of 14819 Cowdray Park who is facing charges of contravening Section 179 of
the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (impersonating a police officer).
He was remanded on US$20 bail to 14 September. The prosecutor, Mr Trust Muduma,
told the court that on 28 August, at about 9.45pm, the complainant, Constable
Hardlife Mhaka, arrested two people for public fighting in the city centre.
He took them to Bulawayo Central Police Station. On their way, Jekese approached
one of the arrested people and told him that he could negotiate for their
release from Const Mhaka, since he was also a policeman.
Both accused gave him US$30 for him to facilitate their release. When they
arrived at the charge office, Const Mhaka inquired from Jekese if he was indeed
a policeman and he admitted to be one. He asked for his police identity card,
which Jekese handed over to him.
However, Const Mhaka discovered that the ID was fake. The court heard that
before he could do anything, Jekese grabbed it from him and bolted out of the
charge office with Const Mhaka in hot pursuit.
He managed to arrest him, but it was not before Jekese had thrown the fake ID
into his mouth and chewed it. It is alleged that Const Mhaka tried to retrieve
it, but Jekese swallowed it. He was searched and was found in possession of
police trousers in his bag and a docket was compiled against him.