Prosecutor jailed for soliciting bribe

A GOKWE-based prosecutor Edson Chidumira (42) has been sentenced to three years in prison for soliciting $2 500 from a suspect.

Chidumira had pleaded not guilty to the charge but after the State led evidence from three witnesses, including the investigating officer, Assistant Inspector Samuel Tadzaushe, and the chief witness, Blessing Shelton Gunha, the court found him guilty of abusing his office as a public figure.

He will, however, serve an effective two years after 12 months of his sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

For the State, Miss Diana Msipa told the court that on a date unknown to the prosecution but between May and June last year, Gunha, who is facing a theft charge, visited Gokwe magistrates' courts for his routine remand.

The court heard that Chidumira, who is a public prosecutor at Gokwe magistrates' courts, called Gunha to his office.

Miss Msipa said Chidumira then demanded $2 500 from the suspect so that he could facilitate the dropping of his case.

Chidumira then gave the suspect his Agribank account number 0122708091 and asked him to either deposit the  money or bring the cash in person, the court heard.

Miss Msipa said Gunha then deposited money in batches into Chidumira's Agribank account on several occasions.

Some of the dates that Gunha deposited some money as part of the $2 500 which was demanded are 15 and 22 June 2011, 18 and 20 January 2012 which the court produced receipts of as exhibits.

The court heard that Gunha also gave Chidumira $300 cash in person as part of the $2 500.

The matter was only discovered recently when Gunha filed a complaint to the police that he continued to be summoned for routine remand at Gokwe magistrates' court despite having paid the bribe.

Police investigations then led to the arrest of Chidumira.

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