A 23-year-old police officer, Aloud Munashe Hurumba, was arrested last week over alleged involvement in a series of armed robberies targeting taxi drivers in Harare, while brandishing his service firearm.
Hurumba, who was stationed at Chikurubi Support Unit, Lima Troop Section, was picked up by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers from homicide section after receiving a tip off.
Following his arrest, four taxi drivers who had been victims of the robbery cases were invited at Harare Central Police Station where an identification parade was conducted and they all fingered him.
Hurumba is said to have failed to rob the fifth victim, Ethel Mukowachimana, who allegedly put up a fight with him after being hired to go to Greendale.
During the fight, Mukowachimana is said to have managed to seize the firearm but failed to operate it.
The State alleges while the two were wrestling for the gun, it accidentally went off but none of them was shot. Realising he had lost his gun, Hurumba allegedly struck Mukowachimana with a stone on the head, took his gun and fled the scene.
Hurumba was not asked to plead when he appeared before regional magistrate William Bhila facing three counts of robbery and attempted robbery.
He was remanded in custody to July 27, after indicating to the court that he was assaulted during interrogation. Prosecutor Michael Reza suggested he be examined by doctors while in remand prison.
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According to the State, Hurumba allegedly initially approached Siteni Mhungure, a taxi driver and asked to be driven to Manresa Suburb near Chikurubi.
As they drove past Chikurubi Support Unit Camp, Hurumba allegedly asked him to turn into a gravel road and after driving a short distance he ordered him to stop.
Hurumba allegedly produced a pistol, pointed it at Mhungure whom he ordered to surrender cash and phone. Mhungure allegedly obliged and surrendered $110 cash before driving off and reporting the matter to police.
Using the same modus operandi, Hurumba allegedly robbed Ashley Mupfumbu, Enos Dziko, and Josphat Mapasure of cash and phones amounting to $835.
