Cop led armed robbers steal truck, business stand ...

Cop led armed robbers steal truck, business stand and gold detectors from Zupco employee

Michael Mashiri

A ZRP police officer and his accomplices pretended to be interested in buying a truck and in the process stole US$3 000 and two gold detectors

Chrispen Mapulanga, 46 of Braeside, appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, at the Harare Magistrates' Court.

The complainant in the matter is Tafadzwa Chidamoyo, 29, of Zimre Park, who is an employee at Zupco Belvedere Garage.

The State through, Tawanda Nyandoro, alleges that sometime in 2019, Mapulanga teamed up with others who are still at large went to Chidamoyo's brother in-law house in Overspill, Epworth as potential buyers of Chidamoyo's truck which was on sale.

Mapulanga and his accomplices met Chidamoyo at the house and introduced themselves as police officers from CID Homicide. They handcuffed Chidamoyo accusing him of stealing money from South Africa.

They put him in a Toyota Noah van and assaulted him with an unknown object on his knees and ankles. Two of them produced pistols.

Mapulanga and his associates forced Chidamoyo to produce a bag of money which they claimed he was in possession of and forced him to go to his rented room in Glenwood where they stole US$3 000 and two gold detectors.

They took Chidamoyo to ZRP Braeside and detained him for smoking dagga.

Mapulanga released Chidamoyo the following day and forced him to sign affidavits transferring his DAF Truck and a business stand into one Zvenyika Emmanuel's name at the same time seizing the offer letter to the business stand.

Mapulanga threatened Chidamoyo with death if ever he was to enter into Harare again before dismissing him.

A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of Mapulanga and the recovery of the DAF Truck as well as the registration book. The value of the stolen property was US$55 000.

Mapulanga who was not in custody was given free bail pending his next court appearance later in the month.