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NewsDay

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Police wanted bribe — suspect

News
MDC-T councillor Johannes Ngozo, facing four counts of fraud and corruption after he allegedly swindled homeseekers of over $10 000, told the court on Friday police arrested him after he declined to bribe them. Ngozo, who has been languishing in remand prison since his arrest on Monday last week, made the remarks during his bail […]

MDC-T councillor Johannes Ngozo, facing four counts of fraud and corruption after he allegedly swindled homeseekers of over $10 000, told the court on Friday police arrested him after he declined to bribe them.

Ngozo, who has been languishing in remand prison since his arrest on Monday last week, made the remarks during his bail application.

He was being represented by Valentine Mutatu. Ngozo claimed a police detective, Isaac Mhondiwa, demanded a bribe from him so the matter would not be brought to court.

However, Mhondiwa denied the allegation, saying he had delayed arresting Ngozo to facilitate investigations, but when he realised the councilor was interfering with investigations, he then pounced on him.

“My client has no propensity to abscond trial. In fact, he is only here because he refused to pay a bribe to the investigating officer. He was asked to pay some money so that the matter is not brought to court, but he refused, that’s when he was arrested,” said Mutatu.

“My client is a councillor and a member of a certain political party. He wants his name to be cleared so that he can attain higher political positions.”

But the State opposed bail saying Ngozo would interfere with investigations, especially since four cases cases had been brought up since his arrest.

“Evidence will be led in court to show that Ngozo used his political position to try and intimidate some of the people who reported the cases to withdraw. The said witnesses even signed affidavits with the intention to withdraw the charges,” State prosecutor Innocent Muchini said.

Kwekwe magistrate Tendai Mahwe will deliver a ruling on the bail application on Mon day.