The Herald Three senior police officers from the Asset Forfeiture Unit in Harare were on Christmas Day arrested for digging a Nyanyadzi homestead in search of an undisclosed hidden treasure.
Detective Superintendent Shepherd Tachiona, Detective Chief Inspector Mkhululi Nyoni, 51, and Detective Inspector Monica Madzima, attached to the Asset and Forfeiture Unit, CID Headquarters in Harare were not asked to plead when they appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe, on Wednesday, facing criminal abuse of duty as a public officer charges as defined in Section 174 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9.23.
Mutare District public prosecutor, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira alleged that the accused persons in the exercise of their functions as public officers, intentionally dug the homestead yard of Simangaliso Memory Mushaya in search of a treasure hidden underground without authority from their principal as well as engagement of other relevant Government experts, for the purpose of showing disfavour to the State, a conduct which is contrary to or inconsistent with their duty as public officers.
Mr Mutyasira said on December 22, Tachiona, Nyoni and Madzima went to House Number 1586/2, Nyanyadzi Irrigation Scheme in search of a treasure allegedly hidden underground there.
The trio allegedly approached the house owner, Simangaliso Memory Mushaya armed with a warrant of search and seizure issued on October 18, 2023 at Chipinge Magistrates’ Court by the resident magistrate, Mr Mkwananzi (Franklyn). They informed the house owner that they intended to dig her homestead’s yard in search of the hidden treasure
The owner of the homestead allegedly complied.
The officers had not advised their principal before embarking on the mission as is the norm and had not engaged other relevant Government departments for their expert services.
Instead, they hired structural surveyor, Victor Mukungunugwa employed by Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency whom they intended to pay in their personal capacity.
“They had also sought the services of a prophet, Revesai Matimba who claims to have spiritual powers to detect precious minerals,” said Mr Mutyasira.
The accused persons were stopped by the police in the midst of digging on Christmas Day.
Upon inquiries, it was discovered that the accused persons were not on official duty, but rather on a frolic of their own.
The accused persons were also found in possession of various articles for use in their pursuit of the treasure.
The State opposed bail, arguing that the evidence linking the accused persons to the commissioning of the offence was overwhelming as they were allegedly found in the course of committing the offence and that there are several witnesses to that effect.
The trio will appear in court today for bail ruling
Asst Comm Nyathi said the police command does not tolerate any criminal acts by police officers.
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