The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) last week arrested two top policemen from Shurugwi on allegations of criminal abuse of duty after they allegedly declined to investigate a gold theft report they had received from owners of three mines based in the town.
Detective Assistant Inspector
Bekithemba Mkandla of the Shurugwi Border Control and Mineral Unit was charged alongside Detective Sergeant Francis Gwashure.
It is alleged the pair received reports of gold theft from management at three different mines in Shurugwi, but declined to investigate the cases.
The pair appeared at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court last Friday and was remanded out of custody on $100 bail each.
The court heard that sometime between October 31 and November 2 last year, Mkandla and Gwashure received a report of theft of gold ore from three mines in Shurugwi.
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It is alleged the two officers went to Rolly 89 Mine where they found Francis Moyo and John Mafanato, who were suspected to have stolen gold ore worth $80 000. Mkandla and Gwashure also discovered the gold ore was being milled without the requisite permit.
The officers allegedly held discussions with Moyo and Mafanato after which they confronted the duo’s management.
It is alleged they told the management they had not come to stop the milling of the gold ore and apparently left the suspects allowing them to continue disposing off the exhibits.
However, the ZACC officers got wind of the case and their investigations revealed 10 tonnes of gold ore, 48 tonnes of gold ore sands and gold slime had been stolen from Umcina Mine on four occasions.
The perpetrators of the offence were arrested and convicted at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court leading to further investigations that led to the policemen’s arrest.