Police Officer, Wife And Two Others Jailed For Extortion
A special constabulary officer who conspired with his wife, a taxi driver and the driver’s girlfriend to extort suspected offenders in Headlands has been jailed for five years.
The group demanded hefty “release fees” from their victims before the scheme was uncovered and they were brought before the courts.
Jacob Mahomwa, 35, of Afghanistan in Marondera and attached to ZRP Macheke, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe last week.
He was jointly charged with his wife, Tanyaradzwa Magudhu, 21, taxi driver Praystone Malenguka, 24, and Malenguka’s girlfriend, Lisa Magumanika, 24.
The four faced two counts of extortion under Section 134 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that the group extorted US$500 from alleged dagga dealer Anna Mukoma of Village 26A, Makudo Farm, Headlands.
Evidence showed they had brandished a firearm to intimidate one complainant into paying for an offence he denied committing.
Despite pleading not guilty, all four were convicted after a full trial, and each was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Six months of each sentence were suspended for five years on condition that they do not commit a similar offence. A further six months were suspended on condition that each restitutes the complainants.
“The accused went to the complainant’s residence, introduced themselves as police officers, and Mahomwa produced a police identification card,” said Mutukwa.
“They alleged that Mukoma was dealing in dagga at her home. Mukoma denied the allegations and offered to let the accused search her residence.
“The accused refused to search the premises, and instead arrested the complainant and escorted her to their vehicle.
“At the vehicle, they showed Mukoma a plastic bag containing dagga, and claimed they had recovered it from her home. They drove towards Macheke and demanded US$500 for her release.”
The court heard that the complainant told them she had only US$100 and asked to be driven back to her home to collect the balance.
Mutukwa said the accused took the US$100 and returned to her residence, where they were given a further US$400 by her husband, Isaac Tembo.
“After receiving the cash, they released the complainant and drove away. The amount stolen was US$500, and nothing was recovered.”
On the second count, the court heard that the accused “arrested” a suspected illegal fuel dealer and took him to Macheke Police Station. Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa said they released him at the station after he paid them US$160.
Mahomwa pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before magistrate Tendai Mahwe, while his three co-accused denied it. All four were found guilty of the offence.
Mahomwa was fined US$300 or, in default of payment, four months’ imprisonment.
The other three — Tanyaradzwa Magudhu, Praystone Malenguka and Lisa Magumanika — were each sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Four months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, and a further two months were suspended on condition that they restitute the complainant. They will serve an effective six months for the offence.
