News / National
Cops mount fake roadblock, demand bribes but run out of luck
07 Aug 2014 at 05:56hrs | Views
Three police officers mounted an illegal roadblock along Joshua Mqabuko Road in Harare and demanded bribes from motorists rushing to catch flights at Harare International Airport.
One of the cops - Tobias Chitukudza (26) of ZRP Highlands - appeared in court on Tuesday charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
His accomplices were still at large.
They targeted foreigners and Zimbabweans on their way to the airport whom they accused of violating traffic laws by speeding before demanding bribes.
Chitukudza was granted $100 bail by magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.
Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira had opposed bail.
It is alleged that on Friday last week at 5am, Chitukudza and his two accomplices mounted an unauthorised roadblock just after the intersection of Dieppe and Chiremba roads.
They solicited for bribes and threatened legal action against reluctant motorists, some of whom were anxious to catch their flights.
Their luck ran out when they stopped a complainant (name not supplied) who was on his way to the airport.
They accused him of speeding and demanded his licence.
The complainant refused to produce his licence and instead asked the trio to produce their police identity cards. They cops sped away in a Toyota Corolla.
The complainant reported the case to the police leading to Chitukudza's arrest at Machipisa Shopping Centre while driving the Toyota Corolla.
One of the cops - Tobias Chitukudza (26) of ZRP Highlands - appeared in court on Tuesday charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
His accomplices were still at large.
They targeted foreigners and Zimbabweans on their way to the airport whom they accused of violating traffic laws by speeding before demanding bribes.
Chitukudza was granted $100 bail by magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe.
Prosecutor Miss Sharon Mashavira had opposed bail.
It is alleged that on Friday last week at 5am, Chitukudza and his two accomplices mounted an unauthorised roadblock just after the intersection of Dieppe and Chiremba roads.
They solicited for bribes and threatened legal action against reluctant motorists, some of whom were anxious to catch their flights.
Their luck ran out when they stopped a complainant (name not supplied) who was on his way to the airport.
They accused him of speeding and demanded his licence.
The complainant refused to produce his licence and instead asked the trio to produce their police identity cards. They cops sped away in a Toyota Corolla.
The complainant reported the case to the police leading to Chitukudza's arrest at Machipisa Shopping Centre while driving the Toyota Corolla.
Source - The Herald
