A member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police force based in Gweru has been arrested in Bulawayo on allegations of stealing $450 from a hooker and extorting an additional $10 from the night worker.
Urayayi Mugova, 21, stationed at Nehanda Police Station, pleaded not guilty to extortion and theft when he appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure yesterday.
The court heard that Mugova, together with two accomplices who are both at large, stole cash from a self-confessed prostitute for whom they allegedly laid a trap and pounced on.
On April 27 this year, Gloria Mlambo was at Club Royal searching for clients when she was approached by Mugova’s friend who acted as a client.
Mlambo alleged that Mugova pounced on them in the act and threatened to arrest her if she ddnt pay him off.
Mlambo told the cop that she had no money on her at that moment but went with the trio to collect $10 which was at her home in Njube.
Takawira said later that night while on their way back to town together with Mlambo, Mugova suggested that the money Mlambo had given them was not enough.
Mugova ordered Mlambo to produce another $10 and she told them she had some money in her EcoCash account which she could not operate. Mugova asked for Mlambo’s cellphone and her EcoCash PIN to withdraw $10. At that moment, Mugova then inquired Mlambo’s EcoCash balance and discovered that there was $450 which he then transferred into Joe Smart’s account (another accomplice who is at large)and deleted the confirmation messages.
Mlambo discovered later that day when she was at home that all her money had been withdrawn and that Mugova had stolen it.
After some days, Mugova started calling Mlambo using private numbers proposing love to her and later began chatting to her on WhatsApp which then led to his arrest.
The trial continues on Friday.
- Chronicle
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