ZNA’s 3 Brigade Captain and Three Policemen Arrested for Alleged Robbery of US$60,000 from Chinese National
A captain from the Zimbabwe National Army’s 3 Brigade and three police officers based in Mutare have been apprehended over accusations of robbing a Chinese national of US$60,000, along with charges of criminal abuse of office.
According to Newsday, the victim, Yao Jingjie (44), sustained fractures during the assault. The individuals in custody are Nyasha Foster, the army captain, Albert Machona (42), a police sergeant, Charles Musiiwa (33), and Tanyaradzwa Mhondiwa (30), both constables stationed at Mutare Central Police Station.
The case is under investigation with reference numbers ZRP Mutare Central CR 306/02/24 and 01/03/24 CID Mutare DRs 11-12/03/24.
The incident, outlined in a memo titled “Arrest of Members of the Uniformed Forces [ZNA and ZRP] for Robbery and Criminal Abuse of Office,” reportedly occurred on February 28.
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“On February 28, 2024 at around 7pm, the complainant, a Chinese national, arrived home from a business trip in Harare in the company of Kalim Mukwamba, the company driver. She was in possession of US$60 000 in US$20 denominations packed in a black satchel. They hired a taxi to Morningside and the complainant was dropped inside and the taxi left with Kalim Mukwamba,” read the memo.
“While the complainant was still outside the house, she was manhandled by accused one (Foster) who emerged from the flower garden, putting on a black mask, he assaulted the complainant on both arms using an unknown object and managed to snatch the satchel which was containing cash and jumped over the precast wall.”
Jingjie’s cries for help prompted a neighbor, Obert Musuka, to rush to the scene and investigate. Musuka, along with other residents, pursued Foster and managed to apprehend him, subsequently recovering the satchel. Upon their arrival, they contacted the police station.
However, without following standard procedure by informing their superiors or relevant stakeholders, Machona, Musiiwa, and Mhondiwa proceeded to the scene and retrieved Foster and the bag containing cash, stating their intention to take them to Mutare Central Police Station.
Reportedly, instead of detaining Foster and securing the bag as evidence, the three officers released Foster and handed over US$26,000 to Hou Jiefei, an acquaintance of Jingjie, that same night without providing an account for the discrepancy.
Allegedly, the trio then took a statement from Foster and proceeded to Eland Hospital, where Jingjie was being treated, to record a statement from the complainant, all without informing their superiors or the Criminal Investigation Department.
