US$10 Bribe Lands Harare Traffic Police Officer Three Years in Jail
A US$10 bribe has landed a Harare traffic officer three years in prison after he was caught taking the money from a motorist during a traffic stop.
Pedzisai Nyamakura was convicted of criminal abuse of office following an anti-corruption operation targeting misconduct within the police.
He was arrested in June while conducting traffic duties in the Greater Harare area.
Nyamakura was later convicted on 6 August under Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Also Read: Two Police Officers Arrested in Mutare Over US$5,000 Bribe
Anti-Corruption Team Spots Suspicious Meeting
The case unfolded at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Fifth Street.
According to H-Metro, members of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Team were monitoring police activities when they noticed Nyamakura speaking to two men in civilian clothes.
One of the men reportedly left the scene before returning about 10 minutes later.
He then handed Nyamakura a US$10 note.
Shortly afterwards, Nyamakura allowed a motorist and his vehicle to leave.
The Anti-Corruption Team immediately intercepted the vehicle as part of the operation.
Officer Found With US$24
A search of Nyamakura uncovered US$24 in cash.
US$14 was found in his right pocket, while the remaining US$10 was discovered in his left pocket.
Nyamakura was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the money.
The motorist later gave investigators an account of what had happened before the payment was made.
Motorist Accused of Traffic Offence
The driver said he had been travelling along Samora Machel Avenue in a Mazda Demio when police stopped him.
According to his account, Nyamakura was working alongside two female officers.
The officers accused him of encroaching on a transverse line at a traffic-light intersection.
The two female officers later left the motorist with Nyamakura.
Nyamakura then demanded money in exchange for allowing him to leave.
The subsequent handover of US$10 was witnessed by the anti-corruption officers.
Operation Targets Police Misconduct
Nyamakura’s arrest formed part of a wider Provincial Anti-Corruption Team operation.
The operation focused on identifying bogus police officers, unsanctioned deployments and other forms of misconduct.
Authorities have also been targeting corrupt and wayward behaviour by serving police officers.
Nyamakura faced two counts before being convicted of criminal abuse of office.
He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on 6 August, bringing the case to a close with a custodial sentence for the traffic officer.
The post US$10 Bribe Lands Harare Traffic Police Officer Three Years in Jail appeared first on iHarare News.
