Three Zimbabwe Republic Police officers based in Mutare and a Captain of the Zimbabwe National Army’s (3Brigade) have been detained on charges of criminal abuse of office after allegedly stealing USD$60,000 from a Chinese national.
Its said that on the day in question, a Chinese national, Yao Jingjie (44) arrived in Mutare after a business trip and was accompanied by her company’s driver named Kalim Mukwamba. The two boarded a taxi, which dropped of Jingjie at her place of residency whilst Mukwamba remained in the vehicle.
Soon after Jingjie alighted from the taxi, its alleged that one of the suspects, Nyasha Forster emerged from the flower garden wearing a black mask, and attacked the complainant with an unidentified object, resulting in her suffering fractures to her limbs.
After the assault, Forster allegedly snatched Jingjie’s satchel, which contained a total us USD$60 000 which was in USD$20 note denominations and jumped over the precast wall before disappearing into the night with his accomplices.
The complainant, with the assistance of a neigbhour named Obert Masuka, then went on to file a report with the Police, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
The four suspects were identified as Tanyaradzwa Mhondiwa (30), a constable, Albert Machona (42), a police sergeant, Charles Musiiwa (33) and Nyasha Foster, the army captain. They are all assigned to the Mutare Central Police Station.
The incident took place on February 28, according to the memo titled Arrest of Members of the Uniformed Forces [ZNA and ZRP] For Robbery and Criminal Abuse of Office.