Lovemore Meya Court Correspondent
Two Chitungwiza-based policemen who are facing $35 extortion charges are back in the dock, this time facing an allegation of demanding $2 000 from a couple they reportedly found being intimate in a parked vehicle at Junction 24 along Seke Road. They also threatened to shoot the couple with a pellet gun. The pair demanded $2 000 from Israel Mutengo (54) who later escaped and reported the matter to the police after being released with the intention to withdraw the money from an ATM.
The incident happened on November 22 this year at around 7pm. Constable Tafadzwa Matigimu (23) of Glen View 1, Harare, is jointly charged with a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, Titus Chere (26) of Unit P, Chitungwiza. They denied four counts involving criminal insult, extortion and two of assault before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Jessy Kufa.
Ms Kufa remanded them out of custody to today for trial continuation. The court heard that on the day in question, Mutengo of Uplands Waterfalls, Harare, was seated in the car – a Nissan – with his lover, Mercy Mhlanga (33) at Junction 24 along Seke Road. It is alleged that Matigimu and Chere saw the pair at Junction 24 bottle store car park and accused them of having sexual intercourse in their car.
They allegedly dragged Mutengo out of the car after threatening him with a pellet gun and force-marched him into their vehicle. Further allegations are that Matigimu slapped Mutengo in the face before handcuffing him. The duo allegedly went for Mhlanga, ordering her to open the window and she complied.
Chere allegedly slapped her on the face before hitting her with a baton and allegedly ordered her to remove her trousers. It is alleged that they started taking pictures of the semi-nude Mhlanga using their cellphones, threatening to take them to H-metro for publication. She was handcuffed and taken to Mutengo where they were advised that they were going to be detained at ZRP Chitungwiza.
On the way, they demanded $2 000 from the couple to facilitate their release and Mutengo settled for $1 000. On arrival at Makoni Shopping Centre, Mutengo sought permission to withdraw the money from an ATM and made his way to the police station. The matter was reported leading to the duo’s arrest.