A SENIOR police officer, Assistant Inspector Tsitsi Matiza, was yesterday arraigned before Harare magistrate Tendai Mahwe on allegations of originating a WhatsApp message that purported some officers had been promoted when nothing of that sort had happened.
by PAIDAMOYO MUZULU
She is being charged with fraud for good administration as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 or alternatively contravening Section 88 (b) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act Chapter 22:05.
Matiza is stationed at the Police General Headquarters’ transport section.
It is the State’s case that on June 16, Matiza originated a “false message purporting that some senior officers had been promoted to their next ranks”.
She was arrested after her brother, Justice Matiza, who is a constable in the force, implicated her during investigations.
The officers who were said to have been promoted are Commissioners Ndebele, Tadyanemhandu, Munoriarwa and Chengeta, Senior Assistant Commissioners Maenzanise, Chakanyuka, Ncube (Midlands) and Mlilo and Assistant Commissioners Doyce and Mutimukhulu.
The State alleged that Matiza sent the message through WhatsApp platform to various groups who in turn distributed the information to their friends and relatives.
- 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 accused’s actions potentially prejudiced the Zimbabwe Republic Police of good administration of its affairs,” the State argues.
Mahwe did not ask Matiza to plead, but ordered her to pay $50 as bail along with conditions that she stays at her given address, not interfere with State witnesses and to report once a week on Fridays to Serious Frauds Squad.
She was remanded to July 7.
Meanwhile, Mahwe also remanded Tru Bar director Phillipus Fourie Naude to July 23.
Naude is facing $2 million fraud charges as defined in Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 for allegedly trying to sell a Borrowdale property that did not belong to him.
Naude was remanded out of custody on $100 bail with conditions that included reporting to the Serious Frauds Squad once every Friday, staying at his given address, not to interfere with witnesses and to tender his passport with the Clerk of Court.
It is the State’s case that Naude falsified that he bought a deceased estate property before the previous owner died using forged papers.
