The ManicaPost
Tanyaradzwa Nyahoda
Post Reporter
THE adage that crime does not pay rang true for a Mutare man after the long arm of the law finally caught up with him and ended his reign of terror in Hobhouse and surrounding areas.
Takudzwa Mapanza (25) of Hobhouse appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi, facing impersonation and theft charges.
He pleaded guilty to both charges.
Prosecuting, Ms Tafadzwa Chiwanza said Mapanza impersonated a police officer, and ‘arrested’ Leanos Jori (19) for selling second-hand shoes smuggled from Mozambique.
“Jori had 14 pairs of second-hand shoes on him that he was selling when Mapanza approached him. He introduced himself as a police officer, and told the complainant that he was under arrest for smuggling, and selling the shoes,” said Ms Chiwanza.
Mapanza produced a pair of handcuffs, and threatened to shackle Jori before force-marching him to Chikanga Police Station.
Along the way, the court heard, Mapanza told Jori that he had changed his mind, and was now taking him to the Hobhouse police base.
“Again, along the way when they were near Hanzu shops, Mapanza took six pairs of shoes from Jori and ordered him to run away to secure his release,” said Ms Chiwanza.
Jori fled from the scene, leaving his shoes behind.
The value of property stolen is US$50, and nothing was recovered.
On October 2, Jori saw members of the public effecting a citizen’s arrest on Mapanza, and it dawned on him that the latter was not a genuine cop.
He then escorted the party, and Mapanza to the police station, and made a report of the earlier incident.
In the second count, Mapanza was apprehended for stealing Brighton Ndarangwa’s (21) Samsung A50 smartphone in Hobhouse.
The court heard that on an unknown date, but in August, Ndarangwa asked Mapanza to assist him with selling maize meal from his car.
“Mapanza got into the car, and stole the cellphone before bolting away,” said Ms Chiwanza.
The value of the smartphone is US$450, and nothing was recovered.
Mapanza was remanded in custody.
