Detectives turn into monya hire
Two police detectives turned into “mamonya” for hire when they severely assault two of a Nigerian business dealer's employees after accusing them of stealing money from his company in Harare.
Nomazulu Matebeke and Chipo Mangachena worked for Chamberlain Okonkwo a Nigerian who was running Turntop Investments at 114 Harare Street. Their troubles began in December 2021 when their employer accused them of stealing from him.
“He went home on December 17, 2021, and he came back on January 31 this year. When he arrived at work he asked for the cash box and we showed him the cash at hand which was US$480,” Matebeke said.
“During his vacation, we raised US$33 840, US$33 360 which was sent to him through a friend we just knew as CJ. We started doing our work but he shouted. He then threatened to report us to Harare Central Police Station for a crime we didn’t know about.”
Okonkwo allegedly switched off CCTV cameras when two detectives arrived. The detectives slapped the workers in the face, and ears and kicked them. At around 10 pm the same day, the hired cops asked us the workers to write guilty to theft pleas on some papers, inserting full names, residential addresses, and national identity numbers.
The assaulted duo later reported the unlawful detention and torture at Harare Central Police, but there has been no movement in the case.
“Since February nothing fruitful has transpired. We approached CID headquarters but it didn't work. At one time, we were asked to take a bribe for the case to be closed but we refused. We have lost hope that justice will prevail.”
Okonkwo could not deny or confirm the allegations and referred the issue to his lawyer Bruce Maruva at Mugwadi and Associates.
Due to low remuneration and lack of enforcement of professional ethics, the police have turned to unorthodox and unethical means of survival. They are now willing to do anything that puts food on the table. Politicians, organizations and individuals who have the means are now taking advantage of law enforcement agents and using them to further their own interests
