Norton – Zimbabwean police are pushing for the incarceration of Theresa Chenjerai, a 49-year-old woman accused of orchestrating the release of armed robbers from prison and providing them with sanctuary at her home. The authorities believe Chenjerai is actively assembling a criminal gang with the potential to destabilise the city through organised crime.
Chenjerai was apprehended on Thursday on bribery charges after allegedly colluding with Munyaradzi Zakkaria, another robbery suspect, to offer a US$150 bribe to a detective. The alleged bribe was intended to influence the detective’s testimony in favour of their colleague, Nickson Tapuwa Mazaranye, who is currently facing 15 counts of robbery at the Norton Magistrates Court.
Chenjerai and Zakkaria appeared before a Norton magistrate on Saturday, where they were not asked to enter a plea. They were remanded in custody until Monday, March 3, for a bail application hearing.
According to police reports, Theresa Chenjerai is the wife of Andrew Chenjerai, a suspected armed robber currently out on bail, facing two counts of violent crime. Law enforcement officials allege that Theresa masterminded her husband’s release from prison. Andrew Chenjerai is scheduled to appear before a Harare magistrate on March 11 for an armed robbery trial.
Furthermore, police allege that Theresa Chenjerai facilitated the release of Zakkaria from prison on two counts of armed robbery and has been harbouring him at her house. This alleged activity is a key factor in the police’s determination to keep both Chenjerai and Zakkaria in custody pending trial.
Police argue that the two have the capacity to interfere with investigations and obstruct the course of justice, as demonstrated by the alleged US$150 bribe offered to the detective to derail robbery cases in court.
The circumstances surrounding the bribery charge unfolded on February 27, when Chenjerai and Zakkaria allegedly conspired to offer US$150 to Detective Sergeant Kwashira. The intention was for the detective to provide favourable testimony for Nickson Tapuwa Mazaranye, in an attempt to secure his acquittal on the 15 counts of robbery he is facing at the Norton Magistrates Court.
Reports indicate that the detective informed his Officer-in-Charge, Detective Inspector Ndofirepi, about the bribe offer. Detective Inspector Ndofirepi then set up a trap, deploying a surveillance team to monitor the suspects’ meeting with the detective.
Zakkaria was subsequently arrested at Norton Police Station after he allegedly handed the detective the US$150. Upon questioning, he reportedly confessed that Theresa Chenjerai had sent him with the money to facilitate Mazaranye’s release.
The State claims that further investigations, including an examination of their call history, revealed that Chenjerai and Zakkaria were working together.
The police believe that Chenjerai’s actions demonstrate a clear pattern of attempting to manipulate the justice system and protect individuals involved in serious criminal activity. Their concern is that she is actively building a network of armed robbers who pose a significant threat to public safety and security in the city.
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