A Chinese national, Gong Changlin, and his Zimbabwean girlfriend, Tafadzwa Maphosa, were swindled out of $5,000 by two corrupt police officers who falsely claimed that their relationship was illegal. Detective Chengeto Pwaka from Bindura Central Police Station and her accomplice, Nicodemus Mubvumbi, coerced Changlin into paying the money, threatening to arrest Maphosa for allegedly terminating a pregnancy.
The scam began on April 12, 2024, when Pwaka and Mubvumbi approached Changlin at Bikita Minerals Mine, claiming that his relationship with Maphosa was a criminal offense. Pwaka flashed her CID identification card and extracted $2,000 from Changlin. Later that day, she demanded an additional $700, which was transferred to her via EcoCash.
The extortion continued on April 30, 2024, when Pwaka and Mubvumbi physically assaulted Maphosa and threatened her with imprisonment, demanding more money. They received $250 in cash and another $80 through EcoCash.
The couple reported the matter to the police on May 18, 2024, leading to the arrest of Pwaka and Mubvumbi. Pwaka was granted $100 bail and ordered to report to Bindura Police Station every Friday. The case is currently being handled by the CID Forensic Investigations Department and is set to be heard on June 3, 2024.
