Tafadzwa Chidawa, popularly known as Detective Kedha, broke down in tears during his court appearance on Friday, leading the magistrate to adjourn proceedings.
Chidawa, a former police officer turned social media anti-crime activist, was testifying in his own defense while on the witness stand.
Currently held in remand prison after skipping court for over a year, his bail was revoked due to his failure to appear.
Court Proceedings Halted
According to HeraldOnline, Chidawa’s emotional reaction prompted Chief Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti Guwuriro to suspend the session until today for continuation.
He is facing charges alongside his alleged co-conspirators:
- Paradza Passmore Matubu
- Perseverance Chisango
- Malvern Mutanda (still at large)
- Francis Takura (still at large)
The complainant in the case is Melody Matanhire.
Case Background
Chidawa and his co-accused initially failed to appear in court in January 2024 after their request for discharge was denied by Magistrate Guwuriro. Their bail was subsequently revoked.
The trial is set to continue on Tuesday.
The Alleged Scheme
Matanhire was reportedly involved with Mutanda, who claimed he possessed US$100,000 in soiled money requiring cleaning.
According to the prosecution:
- Mutanda convinced Matanhire that US$20,000 in clean cash was needed to mix with chemicals to restore the old bills.
- In August 2020, she secured the money and accompanied Mutanda to Blue Ridge Lodge in Harare, believing it would be used for the process.
- She handed over the money, which was placed in a cooler box for “cleaning.”
Fake Police Raid & Theft
At that moment, Chidawa and his associates allegedly entered the lodge, pretending to be police officers.
- They assaulted Mutanda, staging an arrest.
- One of them grabbed the cooler box containing the money.
- Matanhire was escorted out and later released.
Mutanda and the group allegedly split the stolen US$20,000. The scheme was exposed when Matanhire, fearing the consequences, staged a robbery to explain the missing cash to her husband.
Investigation & Arrests
CID Homicide detectives later arrested Mutanda, leading to the recovery of assets he had purchased with the stolen funds.
The trial is ongoing, with the next hearing set for Tuesday.
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