An Insuza police officer accused of trying to protect his girlfriend who was arrested for unlawful entry and theft at her workplace was set free last week after it was proved in court that the messages he sent her while in custody were not meant to obstruct justice.
Better Chadona Mvere (30) pleaded not guilty to charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice when he appeared before Lupane resident magistrate, Takudzwa Gwazemba.
The magistrate found him not guilty and acquitted him.
In acquitting him, the magistrate said the messages which Mvere sent advising his girlfriend to deny charges against her did not show any intention to interfere with police investigations.
The state alleged that on October 13, a report of unlawful entry and theft at Matatazela Bottle Store in Nyamandlovu at which goods worth $987 were stolen was made to Insuza police.
Police investigations established that duplicate keys were used by the criminals to gain entry at the shop.
They later picked the shop attendant, Tamelin Juliat Ellias Beauty Moyo who is Mvere’s girlfriend.
Police also established that Moyo was in possession of both the original and duplicate keys hence she became the major suspect.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The court heard that Moyo was on duty the previous evening and all the keys were with her.
Two security personnel working with Moyo, Charles Gumede and Ranganai Mashizha were also arrested on the same allegations.
On October 14 at 7pm while Moyo and the security officers were in police custody, a message was received on Moyo’s cellphone.
The message came from a cellphone number, which Moyo said belonged to her boyfriend.
The message was allegedly advising Moyo to deny any involvement in the crime.
When the police read the message and made their investigations, they established it had come from Mvere who is Moyo’s boy friend leading to his arrest.
