ZRP Officer, Wife and Accomplices Jailed for Extorting Suspected Offenders in Headlands

Southerton Business Times
24 hours ago
2 min read

A special constabulary officer stationed at Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Macheke and three accomplices have been sentenced to prison after being convicted of extorting money from suspected offenders in Headlands. The convicted group includes Jacob Mahomwa, 35, of Afghanistan, in Marondera, his wife, Tanyaradzwa Magudhu, 21, taxi driver Praystone Malenguka, 24, and Malenguka’s girlfriend Lisa Magumanika, 24. The four appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Tendai Mahwe facing two counts of extortion.

Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that the group posed as law enforcement officers and demanded money from residents in exchange for their release. In one incident, the accused allegedly extorted US$500 from Anna Mukoma of Makudo Farm in Headlands after accusing her of dealing in dagga.

“The accused went to the complainant’s residence, introduced themselves as police officers, and Mahomwa produced a police identification card,” the prosecutor told the court.

Although Mukoma denied the allegations and reportedly offered the group permission to search her premises, the accused allegedly arrested her instead.

Court proceedings heard that while at the vehicle, the group allegedly produced a plastic bag containing dagga and falsely claimed it had been recovered from Mukoma’s home. The accused then allegedly drove her towards Macheke while demanding US$500 for her release. Mukoma reportedly managed to hand over US$100 before the group escorted her back home, where her husband, Isaac Tembo, allegedly paid the remaining US$400.

“After receiving the cash, they released the complainant and drove away. The amount stolen was US$500, and nothing was recovered,” Mutukwa said.

The court also heard that one of the complainants was threatened with a firearm during the extortion scheme. In a separate case, the four allegedly targeted a suspected illegal fuel dealer. The court heard that the man was taken to Macheke Police Station before being released after paying US$160 to the accused.

Although all four pleaded not guilty, they were convicted after a full trial. Each accused person initially received a five-year prison sentence for extortion. However, six months of each sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, while another six months were suspended on condition that they compensate the complainants. In a related offence, Mahomwa pleaded guilty and was fined US$300 or four months’ imprisonment in default of payment. His co-accused Magudhu, Malenguka and Magumanika were each sentenced to 12 months in prison, with part of the sentences suspended, leaving them to serve an effective six months behind bars.

Legal experts say the case highlights ongoing concerns surrounding abuse of authority and impersonation involving law enforcement credentials. Crime analyst Victor Bhoroma said such cases weaken public trust in policing institutions.