The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
THREE police officers stationed at Chipinge Rural Headquarters allegedly stole from a fellow villager and assaulted him in a macadamia deal that had gone sour.
The trio — Alex Shati(32), Innocent Masimba (27) and Cedrick Godknows Singo(26) — pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Christopher Maturure facing theft charges.
They were remanded to today (Friday) for trial. The State, represented by Mr Themba Dhliwayo, alleged that on April 6, Shati met Richard Ngadziore at a fuel station in Chipinge.
He gave Ngadziore $360 and R800 to supply him with 600kg of macadamia nuts within three days.
However, Ngadziore failed to deliver the nuts. It is alleged that on April 18, Ngadziore advised Shati that the macadamia nuts had been stolen in the bush he had hidden them.
Shati demanded to get his money back with interest.
Mr Dhliwayo said on May 4, Shati teamed up with his two workmates — Masimba and Singo.
The trio went to Ngadziore’s homestead in Manyaya Village under Chief Mutema.
“Shati allegedly produced a pistol and pointed it at Ngadziore, while demanding his money back. Masimba also hit Ngadziore on the face, while Shati forced the complainant to sign some papers.
“Singo allegedly handcuffed Ngadziore before forcibly grabbing his property that included two Ecco speakers, four gigabyte memory card, a memory stick, 2.8 meters speaker cable and an 80-watts solar panel from the roof,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
The trio drove Ngadziore to Junction Gate Township using Masimba’s vehicle and then released him.
“Ngadziore made a police report, thereby leading to the arrest of the trio and recovery of the stolen property from Shati’s house in Gaza Township,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
