KADOMA — A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer, who masqueraded as a detective on patrol, has been dragged to court following his arrest for allegedly extorting $9 from a miner.
The accused, 27-year-old Tirivanhu Mahove, who is stationed at ZRP Mubaira, on Monday appeared before magistrate Takawira Mugabe facing extortion charges. The State case led by Yvonne Motsi is that on March 1, Mahove visited his younger brother in Chakari.
The court heard that on March 3 at around 5pm, the accused went to Mandala 7 gold claim where he found a group of people working at the site and introduced himself as an officer from CID Kadoma. He alleged that he had been sent to investigate cases of illegal gold-mining activities in the area.
It was further alleged the accused demanded to search everyone at the scene.
After realising that there was no gold ore, Mahove allegedly demanded money from the claim owner Aida Phiri and threatened to arrest her for being uncooperative.
Out of fear, Phiri allegedly offered him $4 which he turned down, saying it was too little.
She then borrowed $5 from her colleagues and gave the accused $9 in the presence of Mairosi Masamba, Grace Mpofu, Luckson Bonde and John Nyamukapa.
Mahove was remanded to March 23 on $30 bail.
