Court Interpreter Arrested for Demanding $200 Bribe https://www.263chat.com/court-interpreter-arrested-for-demanding-200-bribe/ A court interpreter at Mbare Magistrates' Court was arrested for allegedly demanding a US$200 bribe to influence a case that is before the court. Tadiwanashe Chikomo ,25, appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer. The matter was rolled over to 23 May for bail ruling. Chikomo is legally represented by Tafadzwa Muvhami of Muvhami Attorneys. The complainant in the matter is Natasha Matikiti. The State represented by Rufaro Chonzi alleges that on May 14 after the complainant’s husband, Kevin Sono, was arrested and detained at ZRP Mbare for wearing camouflage uniform in violation of local regulations. His case was referred to the Mbare Magistrates' Court, where he was remanded in custody to May 19. Before the court session, Chikomo reportedly approached the complainant and inquired about her presence at court. After learning about her husband’s case, he reportedly told her that the matter was difficult and hinted that he could assist if the ruling was not favorable. He gave her his contact information. Following the court session, which resulted in Sono being remanded, the complainant and Chikomo allegedly met outside the court premises, where he reportedly demanded US$200 to "facilitate" her husband's release, including paying the fine. The woman handed over US$120, promising to settle the remaining US$80 later. Growing suspicious, the woman reported the matter to ZRP Mbare District Headquarters on May 19. A sting operation was set up using marked trap money totaling US$80. The operation was led by Assistant Inspector Jairos Makoni and a police intelligence team. It is further alleged that later that day, Chikomo met the complainant at a bus stop along Remembrance Drive, where he received the remaining US$80. As the officers moved in to apprehend him, he fled and threw the trap money over the perimeter wall of the City Council Remembrance offices. Chikomo was eventually apprehended, and police allegedly recovered the marked notes, whose serial numbers matched those of the trap money.