Honest Cop Returns Lost Wallet With Over US$4 000 Despite Having No Salary
A Zimbabwe Republic Police Special Constabulary officer has become the talk of the nation after returning a lost wallet containing over US$4 000 (about R74 000). The remarkable incident took place in Karoi on 15 October 2025 when Constable Amos Kaitano, a neighbourhood watch volunteer, stumbled upon the wallet. It was later discovered that the wallet, stuffed with US$4 100 (about R75 900) in cash and personal documents, belonged to businessman Tawanda Mangozho.
What makes the act stand out is not just the large sum of money involved, but also the circumstances of the man who found it. Kaitano is a member of the Special Constabulary, commonly known as neighbourhood watch officers. These officers are auxiliary members of the police force, usually working without a salary. They support regular police officers in both rural and urban areas, often under difficult conditions and sometimes wearing outdated uniforms. Despite these challenges, Kaitano showed extraordinary integrity by returning the lost wallet intact, setting an example of honesty that has since earned him widespread praise.
Wallet Returned With Everything Intact
According to NewsDay, Mangozho lost the wallet after visiting ZRP Karoi Rural camp for fingerprint clearance.
He recalled the shocking moment:
“I came out after being attended to, unknowingly, I had lost my wallet. For nearly 25 minutes, I was not aware. I just got a phone call from the officer-in-charge since I had left my contact details with them. When I arrived, I literally froze. Everything in the wallet was intact. I am grateful for his actions.”
Despite the temptation of holding thousands of dollars, Kaitano chose to hand back the wallet with every cent and document inside.
Police Praise The Act
Officer Commanding Hurungwe District, Chief Superintendent Kezias Karuru, described Kaitano’s actions as a shining example.
He told NewsDay:
“His level of honesty and integrity is the best and we are grateful for his actions. We have a lost and found section that is mandated to safeguard lost property. His action has restored trust from other citizens in the police force. Everyone must do the same. It’s a shining example of honesty.”
The police leadership has urged Zimbabweans to follow the same path of responsibility and surrender any lost property to the rightful authorities.
Who Are Special Constabularies?
Special Constabularies, also known in street lingo as ndini ndamubata (“I am the one who made the arrest”), are volunteer or auxiliary members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. They are found mainly in rural areas, with a smaller presence in towns and cities. Their work includes assisting with community patrols, helping maintain order, and supporting full-time officers.
According to OpenParly, the government has in the past acknowledged the challenges faced by these volunteers. In 2021, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ruth Maboyi said the constabularies often work without proper uniforms, which has affected their image. She explained in Parliament:
“Yes, indeed they are given [payments], but I do not have the figures because it is different, depending on when they were employed, their rank and what duties they do… What you should understand is that we value and prioritise these members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committees.”
Kaitano’s extraordinary act, despite such hardships, has been widely hailed as proof that honesty and integrity remain alive in Zimbabwe’s policing ranks.
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The post Special Constabulary Cop Returns Lost Wallet With Over US$4 000 Cash Despite Earning No Salary appeared first on iHarare News.
