Zimbabwe: A gang of six members was arrested for impersonating the members of the security services and unlawful possession of Crystal Meth in Harare.
The arrested gang members were identified as Lloyd Rayeni Zvoma, aged 33; Clemence Manyika, aged 33; Sylvester Chaire, aged 33; Simbarashe Chiyangwa, aged 34; Sydney Chikozho, aged 46 and Felix Tagonera, aged 34.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner – Paul Nyathi said that on Jan 18, 2024, the detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare, received information in which it was told that the suspects were demanding a US $1,000 bribe from Tafadzwa Lovemore Mudzekenyedze after they had allegedly apprehended him in Kuwadzana for supplying dangerous drugs to the public.
The Assistant Commissioner mentioned that the suspects posed as members of the security services during the encounter. Nyathi added to his statement that the detectives acted on the received information and arrested the suspects after tracking them to a side road near the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show Grounds in Harare.
Reportedly, the arrest led to the recovery of the suspects’ get-away car, a BMW vehicle, registration number ABG 7648, a ZRP identity card, five grammes of Crystal Meth, a pair of handcuffs, three GPS tracking devices and a paper spray.
Police informed that the suspects are being linked to another case of impersonating police officers, which occurred on Dec 31, 2023, at a house along Stoneridge Road, Avondale, Harare, where the suspects posed as detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare, before apprehending Paola Thompson for unlawful cultivation of dagga.
As per the sources, the suspects were allegedly given US $500 as a bribe by Paola Thompson.
However, the detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics, Harare, had already acted on the received information and arrested Paola Thompson and her father, Tony Octave Cesano, for unlawfully cultivating dagga on Jan 3, 2024. Both persons have appeared for the trial at Harare Magistrate Court.
Currently, the Police are on high alert to arrest criminals masquerading as members of the security services while soliciting bribes from unsuspecting members of the public.