RUTENDO CHIRUME
MASVINGO- The trial of Masvingo based CID Detective Sergeant Takesure Buzu (37) and his accomplice Rumbidzai Takawira (35) who were both caught in possession of burnt copper and TelOne wires last year has commenced at Masvingo Magistrates Court.
The two who were arrested on August 17, 2022 in Rhodene are facing two charges of being in possession of 165kg of copper wires and 11kg of TelOne wires without a permit.
If convicted the two face 30 years mandatory jail sentence under the Copper Control Act.
The two are denying the charges, and are jointly being represented by two prominent lawyers Tafadzwa Mbwachena of Ruvengo and Maboke Legal Practioners and Tanaka Shumba of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Law firm.
Advocate Mbwachena in his opening defense said Takawira who is the first accused is a police informer while the second accused CID member was carrying out his duties as a police officer.
“The first accused (Rumbidzai Takawira) is a police informer and has been doing that since 2009, as such she was the one who had tipped Sergeant Buzu that there were some suspicious sacks which were dropped at the said address.
“Secondly there are two individuals Penius Chiputa and Munashe Pasipanodya who were once arrested in connection with the same charges but were later released on unclear circumstances.
“My second client was informed that the two owners intended to collect their stuff on that day and that is how they were on the scene. To add on, Detective Buzu’s supervisor was aware of his colleague’s whereabouts and apparently, he was the one who had given him the go ahead to carry out that operation.
“Finally, the two were ambushed while the second accused was carrying out his duties and they never attempted to bribe the arresting details,” he said
Due to the nature of the case, court proceedings had to be adjourned to 16 January after Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzi said she had dedicated two days to hear arguments and bring finality to the case.
“Because of time we will not be able to call in the first witness to stand. Therefore, the court will adjourn to January 16 when the first witness will be called in. On the next day we will also do the same with the second witness.
“We need to start working on this case so we can be over with it. So, this means that we dedicate at least two days of the week to this case as this will allow court custodians to work on their other commitments,” said Hanzi.
The two are out on bail after spending 21 days in remand prison when they were arrested.
