Cops in court on bribery charge

Two police details stationed at Gweru Central Police Station have appeared in court facing an abuse of office charge after they allegedly hired a tout to collect bribes from motorists on their behalf.

Sergeant Sanida Enizherio (35) and Constable Abigail Gani (34) were deployed at Gweru's Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus last Tuesday when they allegedly hired a tout to collect bribes from motorists before surrendering the money to them.

Enizherio and Gani were not asked to plead when they appeared before Gweru magistrate, Mrs Sithembiso Ncube on Thursday last week.

They were remanded on their own cognisance to 13 November.

For the State, Mr Andrew Marimo told the court that last Tuesday morning, Enizherio and Gani were deployed at Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus to look out for traffic offenders.

Mr Marimo said the two hired Emmanuel Hove who is still at large to collect bribes from commuter omnibus and bus crews at the terminus.

Mr Marimo said three police officers, Inspector Tadzaushe, Constable Gwere, and Constable Mamvu, acting on a tip-off, visited the scene to investigate and found their two colleagues allegedly receiving the bribe money.

The three also took videos and photographs of Hove and the two accused police details while receiving the bribe money from some kombi and bus crews, the court heard.

Mr Marimo said Enizherio and Gani were immediately arrested and were found in possession of $40 cash, suspected to be bribe money.

Hove fled from the scene.