THE trial of former Inyathi Police Station officer-in-Charge Chief Inspector Muhlaba Sibanda, who is being charged with criminal abuse of office after he allegedly arrested his business associate in a gold-buying deal that went sour, failed to kick off last week after he arrived late at Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court. Report by Staff Reporter
Sibanda (49) who is denying the charge, had his trial further deferred to November 16.
The cop told the court he was delayed by transport problems from his base in Nkayi.
He is out of custody on free bail.
The State alleges that between July and August last year, Sibanda bought fish worth R400 from Ignatius Khabo. He later allegedly gave Khabo R600 as top-up and advised him to stop the fish transaction and instead buy him gold worth R1 000.
A few days later, Khabo told Sibanda that he could not secure the gold and promised to bring back the money.
They allegedly agreed on an exchange rate of R1 000-$120, but Khabo paid only $80 to Sibanda.
On January 5 this year, Sibanda allegedly drove a Zanu PF vehicle to Khabo’s home in the company of one Albert Dowie in an effort to recover his balance.
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When Khabo indicated that he did not have the cash at hand, Sibanda allegedly grabbed him by the waist and pressed him against the vehicle, forcing the latter to scream for help from his family members. Khabo’s parents and wife Runia Dube rushed to the scene and Sibanda alleged drove away.
On January 6 this year, the top cop drove back to Khabo’s home in the company of five plain-clothed policemen.
The policemen later arrested family members, accusing them of assaulting Sibanda the previous day.
Khabo and his family were taken to Inyathi Police Station where they were locked up and later released without charges.
Khabo later reported the alleged abuse of office by Sibanda to Nkayi police, leading to the senior cop’s arrest.
