Harare – Former police officer Tafadzwa Chidawa, known as Detective Kedha, broke down in tears in court on Friday while testifying in his defence case, forcing Chief Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti Guwuriro to adjourn proceedings. Chidawa is currently in remand prison after his bail was cancelled due to his failure to appear in court for over a year.
The dramatic scene unfolded as Chidawa took the witness stand to defend himself against charges of fraud and theft, alongside his alleged accomplices Paradza Passmore Matubu, Perseverance Chisango, Malvern Mutanda, and Francis Takura. Mutanda and Takura remain at large. The complainant in the case is Melody Matanhire.
Chidawa and his co-accused had previously defaulted court in January of last year after their application for discharge was dismissed. Consequently, their bail was withdrawn, and Chidawa is expected back in court today for the continuation of his trial.
The case centres around a complex scheme involving soiled money, a cleaning process, and a romantic entanglement. The court heard that Matanhire was involved in an adulterous relationship with Mutanda, who allegedly told her he possessed approximately US$100,000 in soiled currency that required cleaning.
Mutanda claimed that the cleaning process necessitated US$20,000 in clean bills, which would be mixed with the soiled money and certain chemicals. He further stated that whoever supplied the US$20,000 would receive interest or commission upon the successful completion of the process.
Enticed by the prospect of financial gain, Matanhire informed Mutanda on August 27, 2020, that she had secured the US$20,000. She then accompanied Mutanda to Blue Ridge Lodge, purportedly to clean the money. Unbeknownst to her, Mutanda had allegedly conspired with Chidawa, Takura, Paradzai Passmore Matubu, and Perseverance Chisango to defraud her.
The court heard that Matanhire had taken the US$20,000 from her matrimonial home in Gen Lorne, Harare.
Upon arriving at Blue Ridge Lodge, Mutanda requested the US$20,000 from Matanhire, who handed it over. Mutanda then placed the money into a cooler box, supposedly to initiate the cleaning process.
It was at this point that Chidawa and his team allegedly stormed into the lodge, posing as police officers searching for Mutanda. They manhandled Mutanda, while one of the gang members grabbed the cooler box containing the US$20,000 and took Mutanda to a waiting car. The other two members of the group then escorted Matanhire away from the scene before “releasing” her.
The group then met and divided the stolen US$20,000 amongst themselves.
The alleged offence came to light after Matanhire staged a robbery in an attempt to conceal the loss from her husband. However, detectives from CID Homicide apprehended Mutanda, leading to the recovery of property he had purchased with his share of the stolen money.
The circumstances surrounding “Detective” Chidawa’s emotional breakdown in court remain unclear, but the incident has added another layer of intrigue to an already complex and sensational case. The trial is set to resume today, with Chidawa remaining in custody.
