Chinhoyi (New Ziana) – Two Karoi public prosecutors with the National Prosecuting Authority have been nabbed, accused of a taking bribe.

The two, Progress Maponde and Milton Kadzumba, allegedly accepted a US$100 bribe in exchange for a lighter sentence for a man accused of stock theft.

Appearing before Chinhoyi magistrate Tamari Chibindi, the duo was charged with criminal abuse of office, and remanded in custody to February 2.

The court heard that the prosecutors allegedly took the US$100 bribe from the brother of the man accused of stock theft, Arthur Chikwerengwe to ensure a lighter sentence for the offence.

Indeed, the sentence passed in the case by the Karoi magistrates court was shockingly light.

While stock theft crimes attract a mandatory nine year jail term, Chikwerengwe was fined $28 340, and sentenced to 10 months in jail, of which six were suspended for five years, and the remaining four also quashed if he restituted US$180 to the complainant by March.

New Ziana