News / National
Cop in court for bribery and abuse of office
2 hrs ago |
121 Views
A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer, Precious Nyandoro, 32, appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa yesterday on charges of criminal abuse of office and extortion. She was granted US$300 bail and is scheduled to return to court on March 6 for further proceedings.
Nyandoro, stationed at the ZRP Warren Park Traffic Section, is accused of demanding a US$1 200 bribe from Liu Xinpeng, 23, an engineer employed by a local mining company, during a traffic stop on February 17. Liu was travelling to Harare from the Lion and Snake Park with colleagues Yunge Hou and Baojun Zhang, in a vehicle driven by Jonathan Sipiriano.
According to court papers, Nyandoro stopped the vehicle at a checkpoint near a fuel station along Bulawayo Road. She inspected the driver's licence and the passengers' passports, allegedly retaining Liu's passport on claims of irregularities in his immigration documents. Nyandoro then purportedly threatened Liu with arrest unless he paid US$900, later increasing the demand to US$1 200. Liu reportedly offered US$120, which Nyandoro rejected. She took the driver's contact details and released them.
Liu subsequently reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) with guidance from an acquaintance, Allan Zimondi. A trap operation was arranged, during which Nyandoro instructed Sipiriano to deliver the money at the corner of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road and Glenara Avenue in Harare. Sensing a setup, Nyandoro allegedly attempted to flee in a vehicle with removed number plates but was intercepted and arrested by ZACC officers near Newlands Shopping Centre.
A search at ZACC offices uncovered Liu's passport and Sipiriano's driver's licence concealed in Nyandoro's undergarments, wrapped in black plastic. Investigations later confirmed that Liu's documents were in order and did not justify confiscation.
Nyandoro's actions, which included demanding a bribe for the release of lawful documents, are considered unlawful and inconsistent with her duties as a public officer, according to the charge sheet.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and abuse of authority within Zimbabwe's traffic enforcement operations.
Nyandoro, stationed at the ZRP Warren Park Traffic Section, is accused of demanding a US$1 200 bribe from Liu Xinpeng, 23, an engineer employed by a local mining company, during a traffic stop on February 17. Liu was travelling to Harare from the Lion and Snake Park with colleagues Yunge Hou and Baojun Zhang, in a vehicle driven by Jonathan Sipiriano.
According to court papers, Nyandoro stopped the vehicle at a checkpoint near a fuel station along Bulawayo Road. She inspected the driver's licence and the passengers' passports, allegedly retaining Liu's passport on claims of irregularities in his immigration documents. Nyandoro then purportedly threatened Liu with arrest unless he paid US$900, later increasing the demand to US$1 200. Liu reportedly offered US$120, which Nyandoro rejected. She took the driver's contact details and released them.
A search at ZACC offices uncovered Liu's passport and Sipiriano's driver's licence concealed in Nyandoro's undergarments, wrapped in black plastic. Investigations later confirmed that Liu's documents were in order and did not justify confiscation.
Nyandoro's actions, which included demanding a bribe for the release of lawful documents, are considered unlawful and inconsistent with her duties as a public officer, according to the charge sheet.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and abuse of authority within Zimbabwe's traffic enforcement operations.
Source - The Herald
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
