Cop kills self over roadblock bribe cash

A police officer is suspected have killed himself on Monday after being found with an undisclosed amount of money at a road block in Mazowe.

The officer Sergeant Clarence Taurai Muza was under investigation after being found with an undisclosed amount of money at a road block on Sunday.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said: "Sergeant Muza is suspected to have committed suicide a day after he was found with undeclared money by a senior officer at a road block site as required by the Zimbabwe Republic Police policy."

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the officer knew the consequences and the extent to which the leadership regarded all corruption cases, hence the suspected suicide.

"We regret the loss of life, but, however, we do take all corruption cases seriously," Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

Reports of bribery and corruption are rampant in the ZRP and in February 2012 the police set up anti-corruption committees in all the country's provinces to deal with the issue within the force.

Police officers were reportedly demanding bribes from criminal suspects and traffic offenders. Several police officers in almost every section in the police force have been arrested for soliciting for bribes.