Three Harare Police Officers Arrested After Extorting US$40 Bribe From a Motorist
The Anti-Corruption Unit arrested three officers from Harare Central Police Station for extorting a bribe from a motorist.
Tendai Arimon, Webster Mabhugu, and Taurai Masere reportedly demanded US$40 bribe on New Year’s Eve.
Also Read: Please Stop Paying Bribes To Our Police Officers: ZRP Boss Pleads With Motorists
Alleged Roadblock Set-Up
According to police reports, the officers allegedly set up an unauthorised roadblock along Harare Street on December 31, targeting motorists driving against the flow of traffic.
Unbeknownst to them, the operation was being monitored by members of the Harare Province Anti-Corruption Unit.
Also Read: ZRP Denies Working With SARACO In Sting Operation To Arrest Corrupt Cops Over US$540 Bribe
Motorist Targeted and Bribe Demanded
At around 2pm, the officers stopped a white Mercedes-Benz (registration AFX 9209) driven by Brian Mpofu, who was accompanied by his friend Obey Taruvinga.
Arimon reportedly informed Mpofu that he was under arrest for driving against traffic and instructed him to drive toward Harare Central Police Station.
Along the way, Mpofu was allegedly presented with a choice: pay an official fine of US$150 or settle the matter informally with a US$40 bribe. The other officers reportedly supported the suggestion.
Under pressure, Mpofu borrowed US$35 from Taruvinga and contributed US$5 of his own before handing the cash to Arimon, after which the officers released him.
Anti-Corruption Unit Intervenes
Immediately after the exchange, Mpofu was intercepted by anti-corruption officers who had been observing the operation. He reported the incident, prompting a formal police report and the arrest of the three officers.
Court Appearance
The trio appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Jessie Kufa on Friday facing bribery charges. They were not asked to plead. Harare Regional Magistrate Jessie Kufa remanded them in custody. They are set to return on January 5 for bail consideration.
Flipcash is Your Trusted PayPal & Crypto Exchange Partner in Zimbabwe — WhatsApp +263 77 163 9263
The post Three Harare Police Officers Arrested After Extorting US$40 Bribe From a Motorist appeared first on iHarare News.
