Bulawayo traffic cops remanded on bribery charges

THE three Bulawayo-based traffic police officers who were recently arrested for soliciting for bribes from motorists at a roadblock mounted at Mbembesi were yesterday back in court for continuation of trial.

Magistrate, Mrs Kudakwashe Canady remanded the trio, Washington Mandizha (38) of ZRP Sauerstown, Dennis Tapiwa Marerwa (29), of 53 Stops Hostel, Ross Camp and Randall Joan Brown (23), of 25 Cawstone Road, North End, all in Bulawayo, to 7 February for continuation of trial.

The accused persons were arrested after they fell into a trap laid by detectives from Gweru's Criminal Investigation Department.

All the three accused persons, who are traffic police officers stationed at Mbembesi Police Traffic, were remanded out of custody on $20 bail each.

Police in Gweru received a tip-off from members of the public that traffic police officers at Mbembesi were soliciting for bribes from motorists and laid a trap that resulted in the arrest of the trio using a $10 note.

Apparently, the three accused had initially arrested the informant, Mr Victor Kwaramba for operating a passenger-carrying vehicle without a road service permit.

They only released Mr Kwaramba from their custody after he allegedly gave them a $10 bribe.

Mr Kwaramba proceeded with his journey and made a report at Gweru Central Police Station.

The State closed its case yesterday and the matter will proceed to the defence case on the next remand date.

Appearing for the State, Mr Andrew Marimo said on 23 November last year, information was received from an informant, Mr Kwaramba that Zimbabwe Republic Police stationed at Mbembesi National Traffic police were demanding $10 from motorists, particularly those carrying passengers without operators' permits.

He said following the receipt of the information, an authority to set up a trap was sought and was duly granted.

Mr Marimo said a $10 note with serial number IB40081142C was photocopied and certified as it was going to be used as the trap money.

He said a team of detectives from the CID in Gweru accompanied the informant, Mr Kwaramba to Mbembesi to execute the trap.

The court heard that Mandizha, Marerwa and Brown were found manning a roadblock at the 118km peg along the Gweru-Bulawayo highway.

Mr Marimo said upon arrival at the roadblock the officers stopped the informant's vehicle and ordered him to get out and come to where they were standing.

He said Mr Kwaramba collected the $10 note from one of the police officers and proceeded to the three accused persons.

The court heard that Mr Kwaramba handed the three accused the $10 note and they advised him to leave without the Z69 (J) receipt.

Mr Marimo said all this happened while police detectives were observing from the parked vehicle.

He said when Mr Kwaramba got to his vehicle, the detectives quickly pounced on the roadblock team and demanded the $10 note from Brown.

The court heard that it was Brown who had received the money from Mr Kwaramba.

Mr Marimo said she complied and quietly handed over the note to one of the detectives.

The note is being used as an exhibit in the trial.

Mr Marimo said when the detectives checked the Z69 (j) books, they discovered that the $10 note had not been receipted.

He said Mandizha, Marerwa and Brown were subsequently arrested and were taken to ZRP Mbembesi.

The three accused are being represented by Mr Reginald Chidawanyika, of Chitere, Chidawanyika and Partners.