Clayton Shereni
MASVINGO – Fidelis Makwarimba (31), who is son to Masvingo Senator Clemence Makwarimba, was recently dragged before Masvingo magistrate Takawira Mugabe on kidnapping charges against a traffic police officer, Assistant Inspector Conscious Mpofu.
Makwarimba who resides at house number 801 Nemamwa growth point is facing charges of kidnapping as defined in Section 93(1)(a) of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 09:23.
Makwarimba pleaded not guilty to the charges and is set to appear back in court for further hearing on June 15, 2018.
The state led by Fidelis Nyamukondiwa alleges that on the April 25, 2018, Mpofu was conducting an operation of impounding unregistered vehicles which were overdue for registration together with other two unidentified Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officers.
The state further alleges that Makwarimba failed to produce Customs Clearance Certificate’s (CCC) for the unlicensed white Honda Jazz which he was driving and was ordered to drive to the depot escorted by Mpofu.
Instead of driving towards the VID depot, Makwarimba drove off along the Beitbridge road and turned along the Great Zimbabwe road where he parked the car after a heated argument with Mpofu.
Mpofu managed to escape from the vehicle with the CCC documents which Makwarimba had initially failed to produce.
Through his lawyer, Makwarimba argued that he drove away with Mpofu after he had demanded a bribe from him.local