News / National
Police officers jailed for receiving bribes at roadblock
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Two Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, Dennis Takudzwa Chivaku and Sharon Madondo, have been convicted of criminal abuse of duty and sentenced to imprisonment. This week, Harare Magistrates Court handed down a four-year jail term to the pair but conditionally set aside one year, meaning they will serve three years behind bars.
The officers were stationed at a checkpoint near Sunway City Special Economic Zone in Harare, where they exploited their positions by soliciting bribes from motorists, particularly targeting sand poachers. Prosecutors revealed that Chivaku and Madondo charged US$5 per truck to allow vehicles to pass without interference, enabling occupants to load sand illegally.
Authorities acted swiftly after receiving complaints about the corrupt activities, setting up a sting operation that caught the officers red-handed accepting bribes.
The court ruled that their conduct constituted a serious breach of duty as law enforcement officers entrusted with upholding the law.
In response to the sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) issued a statement underscoring the State's zero-tolerance stance on corruption within its ranks.
"Corruption in the ranks of law enforcement will not be tolerated. Accountability and integrity remain central to the criminal justice delivery system," NPAZ said, emphasizing that the verdict sends a strong message against corruption.
The case serves as a reminder that those who betray public trust will face the full force of the law.
The officers were stationed at a checkpoint near Sunway City Special Economic Zone in Harare, where they exploited their positions by soliciting bribes from motorists, particularly targeting sand poachers. Prosecutors revealed that Chivaku and Madondo charged US$5 per truck to allow vehicles to pass without interference, enabling occupants to load sand illegally.
Authorities acted swiftly after receiving complaints about the corrupt activities, setting up a sting operation that caught the officers red-handed accepting bribes.
In response to the sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) issued a statement underscoring the State's zero-tolerance stance on corruption within its ranks.
"Corruption in the ranks of law enforcement will not be tolerated. Accountability and integrity remain central to the criminal justice delivery system," NPAZ said, emphasizing that the verdict sends a strong message against corruption.
The case serves as a reminder that those who betray public trust will face the full force of the law.
Source - NewZimbabwe
