$1 bribe-taking cops granted US$50 bail

Two police officers arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) last week for allegedly soliciting a US$1 bribe from a motorist have been granted $50 bail each by a Chinhoyi Magistrate.

Paul Muchenje, stationed at ZRP Chemagamba, and Shamiso Nyabasa of ZRP Chinhoyi Central appeared before the Chinhoyi Magistrates Court on Friday.

According to court documents, motorist Blessing Mazinyama reported the officers to ZACC, alleging they were demanding bribes ranging from US$1 to US$5 from motorists avoiding the Lion's Den tollgate along the Harare-Chirundu highway. The officers allegedly threatened to impound vehicles evading the tollgate and demanded fines of up to US$100.

Acting on the tip-off, ZACC investigators set up a sting operation using a US$1 note (serial number D101548630) as trap money. When Mazinyama was stopped at a police checkpoint, he handed the money to Muchenje, who reportedly put it in his trouser pocket.

ZACC officers then revealed their identities and arrested both Muchenje and Nyabasa.

The two officers, who appeared in court without legal representation, were granted bail and are expected to return for trial. The State is pursuing charges of criminal abuse of office and corruption.

The case has sparked debate on corruption within law enforcement, with some viewing the arrest as a sign of increasing scrutiny, while others question the focus on minor bribe cases instead of larger corruption scandals.