By Rutendo Ngara
A HARARE woman accused of aiding the release of armed robbers and housing them at her place has been denied bail with the State raising fears she could be creating a cartel of robbers.
Theresa Chenjerai, 49, was arrested on bribery charges after she allegedly connived with another robbery suspect, Munyaradzi Zakkaria and offered US$150 to a detective to testify in favour of their colleague who is facing 15 counts of robbery at Norton Magistrates’ Court.
In denying them bail, the presiding magistrate said the two would flee if released as they face a serious offence with overwhelming evidence.
The court said it was evident that the two were “cunning” in offering a cop money before giving evidence in court hence had capacity to interfere with witnesses.
“The State has established a strong prima facie case against the applicant. They are both facing a very serious charge. There is a high probability that the state will secure a conviction. The possibility of the applicant facing a lengthy prison term upon conviction will certainly induce both of them to abscond.
“The accused are likely to interfere with State witnesses. The State has shown the two are cunning as they interfered with a police officer who was yet to give evidence.
“Prior to this incident the State submitted accused 2 did a similar conduct in case of armed robbery involving accused which resulted in the matter being removed from remand as the police officer was not forthcoming and subsequently the release of accused,” the court said.
The State led by Thomas Chanakira argued that the suspects once interfered in another matter resulting in its collapse with a policeman in the matter refusing to cooperate. It was also further submitted that Zakkaria was in the habit of changing and using different names hence could abscond and commit more offences.
The State also alleged that Theresa was the wife of suspected armed robber Andrew Chenjerai who is currently out on bail, facing two counts of the violent crime. Andrew will be appearing before a Harare magistrate on March 11 for an armed robbery trial.
The State also alleged that Chenjerai facilitated the release of Zakkaria from prison on two counts of armed robbery and has been harbouring him. It is the State’s belief Chenjerai is gathering a criminal gang of armed robbers with potential to destabilise the city through organised crime hence they should be locked up.
It further raised fears that the two have the capacity to interfere with investigations and obstruct the course of justice as demonstrated in the alleged US$150 offer to a detective. It is the State’s case that on February 27 the two connived and offered US$150 to detective sergeant Kwashira for him to testify in favour of their friend Nickson Tapuwa Mazaranye so that he would be acquitted on 15 counts of robbery.
The court heard that the detective went and advised his officer in charge who then set a trap, putting a team on surveillance, monitoring the suspects’ meeting with the detective. Zakkaria was then arrested at Norton Police station when he allegedly gave the detective the US$150.
Upon being interviewed he then confessed that Chenjerai was the one who had sent him with the money to facilitate the release of Mazaranye. According to the State, further investigations showed the two were working together after their call history was investigated.
