The Sunday Mail
Beitbridge Bureau
The National Security Task Force (NTF), deployed to curb crime at the border with South Africa, has arrested a 35-year-old man for masquerading as a security agent in the border town for over 12 months.
Gabriel Chirenga is accused of having taken between R300 and R500 in bribes from bus crews at the Dulivhadzimu Bus Terminus since March last year.
The accused was arrested on Friday evening after pouncing on four buses.
He is accused of having bullied bus crews after purporting to be a member of NTF.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Chirenga had been charged with impersonation.
“We are investigating a case where the suspect has been impersonating security officers in Beitbridge since last year,” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.
“He would move around the bus terminus in Beitbridge until he was arrested on Friday. We will release more information at a later stage.”
Last week, Chirenga was dragged before Beitbridge magistrate Ms Annia Chimweta facing charges of impersonation.
He was remanded in custody to July 8.
Cases of people impersonating security agents in Beitbridge have become common.
A few weeks ago, a Mutare man was arrested for impersonating a police officer and trying to incite border-jumpers to revolt against members of NTF who had arrested them at an illegal crossing point.
