A Chinese national and his lover fell victim to a scam, losing US$5,000 under false pretenses that dating a Zimbabwean girl was illegal, perpetrated by local police officers.
The prosecution revealed that a policewoman from Bikita, along with her accomplice, coerced Gong Changlin, the Chinese individual, into paying US$5,030 by falsely claiming that his romantic relationship with Tafadzwa Maphosa, a local resident, was illegal.
Details of the Extortion Scheme:
Detective Chengeto Pwaka from Bindura Central Police Station, along with her alleged accomplice Nicodemus Mubvumbi, were apprehended at Bikita Mineral on Saturday while allegedly attempting to extract more money from the victims.
Magistrate Elizabeth of Masvingo granted Pwaka bail of US$100 and mandated her to report to Bindura Police Station every Friday. The case has been adjourned until June 3, 2024.
On April 12, 2024, the accused travelled from Bindura to Bikita Minerals Mine and informed Changlin that it was a crime for a Chinese national to be in a relationship with a Zimbabwean woman. Pwaka displayed her Criminal Investigations Department (CID) identification card and extracted US$2,000 from Changlin.
Further Threats and Demands:
Later that day, Pwaka threatened to arrest Maphosa for allegedly terminating a pregnancy, demanding an additional US$700, which was transferred to her via EcoCash.
On April 30, 2024, at Bikita Minerals, Pwaka and Mubvumbi intensified their threats by physically assaulting Maphosa and threatening her with imprisonment. They received US$250 in cash and another US$80 through an EcoCash account (+263) 0773880313.
The accused managed to extort a total of US$5,030 from the couple. The matter was reported to the police on May 18, 2024, leading to their arrest.
Pwaka was ordered to pay US$100 bail, and the case is currently being handled by the CID Forensic Investigations Department.
