HARARE – A police Inspector allegedly connived with an illegal arms dealer to sell firearms to unsuspecting businesspeople based in Domboshava, outside Harare.
For the offence, the alleged illegal dealer Tonderai Shenje, 40, appeared before Harare Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure facing three counts of contravening section 14(1) of the Firearms Act.
His alleged accomplice was named as Inspector Kudakwashe Chatikobo of Support, Fairbridge, Bulawayo.
Shenje had been languishing in jail following his arrest last Wednesday.
He was granted ZW$100,000 bail and ordered back in court on May 9.
Court heard Shenje and his accomplice, still on the run, illegally sold firearms to Kennedy Tapfumaneyi Warikandwa, Ronald Butsu and Flavious Mavhunga in 2020.
“Sometime in 2020, the accused approached Kennedy Tapfumaneyi Warikandwa who has some businesses in Domboshava whom he offered to assist in getting a firearm for protection since he had previously been a victim of armed robbery.
“On an unknown date but during the period extending from April to May 2020, accused led Warikandwa to Morris Depot where they met accused’s accomplice Kudakwashe Chatikobo, still at large.
“The accused and his accomplice then sold a 6.35 CZ pistol for US$350,” said the State.
Shenje and Chatikobo then told Warikandwa that he would collect the firearm after the registration process was complete.
Prosecutors allege that on an unknown date but in May 2020, the accused person and his accomplice then gave Warikandwa the firearm and a certificate.
Warikandwa noted that the address written on the certificate was 24713 Unit B Seke, Chitungwiza yet he resided in Domboshava.
When Warikandwa tried to enquire as to why his home address on the certificate was wrong, he was assured the mistake was going to be corrected later.
The complainants later discovered Shenje was in fact not a registered firearms dealer after they went to the Central Firearms Registry to confirm.
The matter was then reported to the police, leading to Shenje’s arrest.
