A six-man bogus detectives syndicate, disguising themselves as officers from the CID Drugs and Narcotics unit, was arrested after targeting individuals, accusing them of drug dealing, and extorting money from them.
Over the weekend, a group comprising Lloyd Rayeni Zvoma, Clemence Manyika, Sylvester Chaire, Simbarashe Chiyangwa, Sydney Chikozho, and Felix Tagonera appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo. They have been remanded in custody until tomorrow, pending a bail hearing.
The gang is said to be part of the fake police officers who have been terrorizing citizens.
The court learned that on January 18, the gang, consisting of six members, approached Tafadzwa Lovemore Mudzekenyedze in a BMW. Identifying themselves as detectives from the CID Drugs and officers from the President’s office, they proceeded to extort money from Mudzekenyedze.
Zvoma presented a ZRP identity card with the name Constable Masaraure, while Claire produced a forged President’s Office identity card with Tendai Maraka’s details. Accusing Mudzekenyedze of being a major drug supplier, they falsely arrested him, manhandled him, and forced him into his car, driving towards Harare CBD.
Near Harare showgrounds, the gang demanded US$1000 for Mudzekenyedze’s release. Meanwhile, authentic officers from CID drugs received a tip-off about the kidnapping and swiftly located and arrested the gang members.
Items recovered from the gang included identity cards, a pair of handcuffs, three GPS tracking devices, a pepper spray can, and two satchels of crystal meth.
The accused, namely Zvoma, Manyika, Chaire, Chiyangwa, Chikozho, and Tagonera, are now facing legal consequences for their elaborate extortion scheme. Zebediah Bofu is prosecuting the case.
Source iHarare
