News / National
Bribe-taking cops remain in custody
07 Nov 2024 at 06:56hrs | Views
Two Harare police officers, Sergeant James Chifamba (46) and Constable Trymore Mukunza (36), were remanded in custody yesterday after appearing in court on charges of criminal abuse of office. The officers are accused of accepting bribes from motorists during a traffic enforcement operation, a scene that was reportedly captured on video.
Appearing before Harare Magistrate Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa, the two officers faced allegations of using their positions to solicit bribes from drivers, rather than carrying out their duties of enforcing traffic regulations. Both Chifamba and Mukunza were remanded in custody until November 11, when a ruling on their case is expected. The State and defense counsel are also scheduled to submit written arguments by tomorrow.
Prosecutor Mr. Anesu Chirenje presented the charges, stating that the officers had been deployed to a traffic enforcement operation near Mabvuku traffic lights on Mutare Road last week. Their official duties were to stop vehicles and check for compliance with road safety regulations. However, it is alleged that instead of performing their responsibilities, the officers solicited bribes from drivers, allowing them to bypass standard traffic checks.
The State claims that it has video footage of the officers accepting the bribes, which is expected to serve as critical evidence in the case. According to the prosecution, the actions of Chifamba and Mukunza represent a breach of public trust, as they abused their positions for personal gain at the expense of their duties as law enforcement officers.
The case has sparked significant public interest, with many expressing concerns about the integrity and accountability of law enforcement in Zimbabwe. Citizens have called for greater oversight and stricter measures to prevent corruption within the police force, emphasizing the need for officers to uphold their responsibilities with transparency and fairness.
The case continues to unfold, with the upcoming court proceedings expected to shed more light on the conduct of the two officers and their involvement in the alleged bribery scheme.
Appearing before Harare Magistrate Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa, the two officers faced allegations of using their positions to solicit bribes from drivers, rather than carrying out their duties of enforcing traffic regulations. Both Chifamba and Mukunza were remanded in custody until November 11, when a ruling on their case is expected. The State and defense counsel are also scheduled to submit written arguments by tomorrow.
Prosecutor Mr. Anesu Chirenje presented the charges, stating that the officers had been deployed to a traffic enforcement operation near Mabvuku traffic lights on Mutare Road last week. Their official duties were to stop vehicles and check for compliance with road safety regulations. However, it is alleged that instead of performing their responsibilities, the officers solicited bribes from drivers, allowing them to bypass standard traffic checks.
The case has sparked significant public interest, with many expressing concerns about the integrity and accountability of law enforcement in Zimbabwe. Citizens have called for greater oversight and stricter measures to prevent corruption within the police force, emphasizing the need for officers to uphold their responsibilities with transparency and fairness.
The case continues to unfold, with the upcoming court proceedings expected to shed more light on the conduct of the two officers and their involvement in the alleged bribery scheme.
Source - the herald
