By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
In a decisive move to tackle corruption head-on, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested two police officers at the Lion’s Den tollgate on the Harare-Chirundu highway yesterday.
Officers Paul Muchenje from ZRP Chemagamba in Chinhoyi and Shamiso Nyabasa from ZRP Chinhoyi Central were apprehended after accepting a bribe of $1 from a motorist.
The arrest came after a tip-off from Blessing Mazinyama, a motorist who bravely exposed the officers’ corrupt behavior.
Mazinyama reported that the officers regularly solicited bribes from motorists attempting to bypass the tollgate, with extortion ranging from $1 to $5 per vehicle. Motorists who refused to comply were threatened with having their vehicles impounded and facing hefty fines.
ZACC swiftly set up a sting operation, providing Mazinyama with a marked $1 bill (serial number D101548630).
During the operation, the officers stopped Mazinyama and, as expected, Muchenje accepted the bribe. ZACC agents, who were monitoring the scene, immediately identified themselves and arrested both officers.
This incident reflects a broader issue of police corruption, with numerous complaints about similar bribery tactics at roadblocks.
Last year, several vehicles were illegally impounded, and many owners were forced into long legal battles to reclaim their cars.
Despite court orders for the release of the vehicles, officers used delaying tactics to force motorists to pay bribes to speed up the process.
A motorist from Karoi, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted, “This has been going on for a while. We end up paying anywhere from $20 to $100 depending on how many officers are at the roadblock.” The ongoing nature of these corrupt practices raises serious questions about the integrity of law enforcement.
ZACC has reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out corruption within the police force, vowing to restore public trust in law enforcement agencies.
Citizens are urged to report any instances of bribery, as authorities remain determined to eliminate corruption from the ranks and bring justice to all.
About Author
