FORMER Zanu PF councillor for Mutare, Cecilia Gambe, appeared in court on Saturday last week charged with soliciting bribes from rank marshals claiming to have been sent by Manicaland provincial police boss, Senior Assistant Commissioner Dorothy Kupara. BY KENNETH NYANGANI
Gambe (42) allegedly told the rank marshals that the money would serve as “protection fee” and shield them from harassment by police officers during the ongoing blitz against illegal vendors and touts.
She appeared before Mutare magistrate Innocent Bepura and, according to the court papers, Kupara is the complainant in the matter.
Prosecutor Matthew Chimutunga presented that on October 17 this year and at corner Robert Mugabe Road and Second Street in Mutare, Gambe stopped at a traffic light and shouted to Happymore Kadzima, John Nyamukapa and Tuso Farikai, advising them of the required “protection fee”.
“Do you know all rank marshals are going to be removed from all bus termini in Mutare and will be replaced by soldiers because you are not giving Propol (provincial police) money? Make contributions so that I will hand them over to the Propol. Ask Master Gwinyai, he knows the issue,” she allegedly shouted before driving away.
The complainants then filed a police report, leading to her arrest.
Gambe was granted $60 bail and remanded to November 13.
