Faith Ndou
MASVINGO – A senior police officer who was arrested together with an accomplice for possession of dangerous drugs told the court that they thought they were delivering sausages.
Inspector Pikirai Hakata (53) and Ringisai Mapirwe(41) are facing allegations of drug trafficking after being arrested with 220 kilograms of dagga worth US$19,000, appeared before Magistrate Innocent Bepura at the Masvingo Magistrates Court yesterday the 5th of February 2026.
The two men, who denied the charges, were remanded in custody until the 19th of February for continuation of trial.
Hakata Mapirwe were apprehended on February 1st while driving a Toyota Aqua.
According to the state’s case, Hakata, who introduced himself as an inspector and Mapirwe were flagged down by Constable Rice at Lundi Roadblock along Beitbridge-Masvingo highway while they were travelling to Harare.
Hakata allegedly produced a police ID and informed the officer that they were transporting sausages.
However, when they were ordered to park by the roadside, Hakata attempted to flee leading to a chase. A GD6 police vehicle blocked their escape and the two were escorted back and a search was conducted leading to recovery of 83 brown plastics of dagga hidden under a blanket in the vehicle back seat and boot. A police communication radio was also found in the dashboard.
Both Hakata and Mapirwe have denied any knowledge of the dagga, claiming they were instructed by Mapirwe’s brother who own a butchery in Dzivarasekwa to transport sausages from Beitbridge.
According to their lawyer, former Maasvingo City Mayor Collen Maboke, the two men only discovered they were carrying dagga upon their arrest by the police as the luggage they were carrying was loaded in the vehicle by the touts in Beitbridge.
In court, Maboke argued that the two accused should be granted bail, noting that Hakata was close to retirement and had no prior criminal record. He further claimed that they had been unaware of the contents in the vehicle.
However, the state opposed the bail application, citing that Hakata’s attempt to flee after being flagged down as well as his attempt to deceive officers by producing a police ID demonstrated his knowledge of the illegal luggage and wanted free passage.
The state further expressed concerns that the accused might abscond pointing out that if they had not been followed by the GD6 police vehicle, they would have likely escaped.
Magistrate Innocent Bepura, after hearing arguments from both sides, remanded the accused in custody denying them bail.
The trial will continue on the 19th of February with Prosecutor Ruvimbo Makoni representing the state.
