The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Post Correspondent
A DRUG dealer who attempted to bribe police officers with US$1000 and R1300 after being caught with mbanje worth street value of $1 million was last week denied bail by a Nyanga magistrate.
The suspect Struggle Tapera (27), of Chitungwiza, was remanded to today (Friday) for trial by Nyanga magistrate, Ms Constance Marutya.
He was charged with contravening Section 170 (1) (b) (i) and 157 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 and Section 157 which makes possession of dagga and bribery punishable offences.
The dagga is alleged to have been smuggled into the country from Mozambique through an illegal entry point in Ruwangwe.
Mr Cuthbert Bhosha prosecuted.
Police officers intercepted Tapera at a restaurant in Nyanga where he attempted to bribe them with US$1000. The dagga was recovered stashed in a Nissan Caravan.
Allegations were that police in Ruwangwe received a tip-off from their counterparts in Mutare that the Nissan Caravan was transporting 25x90kg sacks of marijuana from Mozambique to an unknown destination.
“Acting on that tip-off, the Officer-in-Charge for Ruwange Inspector Bere assigned his subordinates led by Seargent Panketi.
“They made a follow up and intercepted the vehicle, a Nissan Caravan, registration Number AEU 8376, at Kaitano Primary School.
“While at the scene, they searched it and discovered the contraband.
“However, Tapera and his accomplice dumped the vehicle and vanished into a nearby bush,” said Mr Bhosha.
The following day, Tapera contacted some police officers at the station and attempted to bribe them with US$1000.
Insp Dombodzvuku organised a trap and lured the suspect to come to Ruwangwe growth point where it was arranged that he would give the money to Constable Kademaunga. He was arrested after handing over the money.
The US$670 and R1300, which had been given to Dombodzvuku as inducement for him to facilitate the release of the motor vehicle and dagga, was recovered.
