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Bail for Veterai whiskey bribery ‘fraudster’

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Former police officer Tinashe Chikara, who is facing charges of fraud stemming from his alleged false implication of Mines and Minerals Development minister Obert Mpofu, Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu and two senior police officers in bribery, has been released from prison on bail. Chikara (44) of 88 ZRP Western Commonage in Bulawayo was on […]

Former police officer Tinashe Chikara, who is facing charges of fraud stemming from his alleged false implication of Mines and Minerals Development minister Obert Mpofu, Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu and two senior police officers in bribery, has been released from prison on bail.

Chikara (44) of 88 ZRP Western Commonage in Bulawayo was on Monday granted $50 bail accompanied by reporting conditions. He has not been formally charged and was remanded to September 8.

Chikara was incarcerated on July 2 after his arrest in Victoria Falls after a trap had been set by the police.

His efforts to get bail at his initial appearance hit a brick wall after Hwange provincial magistrate Collet Ncube argued that Chikara could escape as the State had overwhelming evidence against him to secure a conviction.

Sifelumuzi Fuzane, for the State, told the court that at the end of June, Chikara met a safari operator who lives in Harare.

The operator was heading to Victoria Falls to attend to some problems which had erupted at his concession at Matetsi in Victoria Falls.

Chikara advised him that he was linked to senior government officials and police officers who could help him solve the problems.

Chikara demanded that the operator give him a bottle of whisky for Mpofu, another bottle and $300 for Matabeleland North police commander Edmore Veterai, $300 for an individual only identified as Masuku.

Through this alleged misrepresentation he was reportedly given the money and the whisky and is reported to have converted the items to his own use.

Chikara is accused of further misrepresenting to the safari operator while in Victoria Falls that Commissioner Charles Mufandaedza and Veterai had demanded $6 000 to help him.

The complainant became suspicious and made a police report.

Authority to set a trap was granted and Chikara was arrested after receiving $2 000 trap money.