Cops assault ZACC officer

Two police officers from Sakubva Station appeared before Provincial Magistrate Tendai Mahwe on Monday, where they were fined US$500 each for assaulting a Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigator following their arrest for allegedly accepting bribes at a roadblock.

Sergeant Mduduzi Makina (39) and Constable Elliot Gava (42) were given the option of serving four months in prison if they fail to pay the fine. Additionally, Magistrate Mahwe sentenced both officers to four months' imprisonment, suspended for five years.

The charges stem from an incident on 11 December 2024, when the ZACC team, acting on complaints of corruption at a police roadblock, conducted surveillance operations around 11 a.m. The team observed several police officers soliciting and accepting bribes from motorists.

During the operation, Constable Peace Muchenje was arrested for bribery, and a roadblock declaration book was seized as evidence.

However, Sergeant Makina and Constable Gava then confronted the ZACC officers, demanding the return of the declaration book. The court heard that they forcibly removed investigation officer Shingirai Mudede from the driver's seat of the vehicle and took the keys from the ignition.

Makina and Gava allegedly twisted Mudede's arm, violently dislodging him from the vehicle to seize the declaration book before fleeing the scene.

Prosecutor Thurstone Mubvumbi argued that the officers' actions amounted to obstructing justice by assaulting a public officer engaged in lawful duties.

The magistrate's ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring accountability, even among law enforcement ranks.