News / National
Kombi driver and conductor arrested for bribing cops
09 Nov 2024 at 17:01hrs | Views
A kombi driver and his conductor have been arrested following a viral video that allegedly shows two police officers accepting bribes from motorists along the Harare-Mutare Road. The two Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, Sergeant James Chifamba (46) and Constable Trymore Mukunza (36), have since been charged with criminal abuse of office and remanded in custody.
The police swiftly moved to apprehend the individuals implicated in the video, identifying Tinashe Madzima, the kombi driver, and Ishamel Gonyora, the conductor, who were caught on camera offering bribes to the officers. The two were detained on November 6 at George Shopping Centre in Ruwa, and police impounded two commuter omnibuses involved in the incident.
Confirming the arrests, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of kombi driver Tinashe Madzima (31) and conductor Ishamel Gonyora for bribery. The two were identified in the viral video offering bribes to the police officers.” The commuter omnibuses, both Toyota Hiace vehicles with registration numbers ABZ 1395 and ABZ 8264, were seized by authorities.
The police investigation revealed that Madzima, driving one of the kombis, was seen in the video offering a bribe to an officer, while Gonyora, the conductor of the other vehicle, also approached the officers with cash. “The police are also pursuing other suspects implicated in this incident,” Nyathi added, warning motorists against attempting to bribe police officers. “Swift action will be taken against them for justice to prevail.”
The case highlights the ZRP’s efforts to tackle bribery and corruption within its ranks, with Commissioner Nyathi reiterating a zero-tolerance policy on such behavior. The case will continue as investigations unfold, with Chifamba and Mukunza due back in court on November 11.
The police swiftly moved to apprehend the individuals implicated in the video, identifying Tinashe Madzima, the kombi driver, and Ishamel Gonyora, the conductor, who were caught on camera offering bribes to the officers. The two were detained on November 6 at George Shopping Centre in Ruwa, and police impounded two commuter omnibuses involved in the incident.
Confirming the arrests, National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of kombi driver Tinashe Madzima (31) and conductor Ishamel Gonyora for bribery. The two were identified in the viral video offering bribes to the police officers.” The commuter omnibuses, both Toyota Hiace vehicles with registration numbers ABZ 1395 and ABZ 8264, were seized by authorities.
The police investigation revealed that Madzima, driving one of the kombis, was seen in the video offering a bribe to an officer, while Gonyora, the conductor of the other vehicle, also approached the officers with cash. “The police are also pursuing other suspects implicated in this incident,” Nyathi added, warning motorists against attempting to bribe police officers. “Swift action will be taken against them for justice to prevail.”
The case highlights the ZRP’s efforts to tackle bribery and corruption within its ranks, with Commissioner Nyathi reiterating a zero-tolerance policy on such behavior. The case will continue as investigations unfold, with Chifamba and Mukunza due back in court on November 11.
Source - The Herald
