On her initial appearance, she pleaded not guilty to criminal abuse of office before Ms Dube.

Prosecuting, Mr Tapiwa Solani said between March 31 and April 30 last year, Dzama received varying amounts, 15 times, amounting to $456 from Mr Mthombeni.

“The accused person in the exercise of her duty unlawfully demanded money amounting to $456 to assist the complainant to join the Zimbabwe Republic Police which is contrary to her duty as a police officer,” he said.

Mr Solani said Dzama continuously demanded money from Mr Mthombeni so that she could assist in speeding up the recruitment process.

“On March 31 last year, the accused person demanded $50. On April 1, the accused further demanded $80 until it amounted to $456,” he said.

Mr Mthombeni said he desperately wanted to be a police officer.

“I was introduced to the accused person by my brother, after struggling for a long time looking for that job.

“The accused person told me that the recruitment will take long, but for her to speed it up, she needed money. I continuously gave her money but nothing happened and I ended up doing a follow up,” said Mr Mthombeni.

“I called the officer and she said she will reimburse me but she failed.”

The matter was reported to the police leading to Dzama’s arrest.