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Whinsley Masara
A POLICE officer stationed at Inyathi Police Station in Bubi District was arrested for allegedly soliciting for bribes from suspects.
Const Winkel Ngozo allegedly demanded $100 bribe from each of the three suspects who were arrested for theft of gold ore in Inyathi.
He received $100 from one of them and was arrested while receiving the money from the second suspect. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the matter has been referred to the courts.
“We received the report and the matter is now before the courts,” he said.
Sources said one of the suspects, Thabisani Nkomo (18) gave him the money while the other two, Mthabisi Sibanda (19) and Joseph Moyo (24) were still looking for the money.
“Sibanda informed his father, whom he asked for the money and instead the father blew the whistle to the police.
“Acting on a tip-off, police set a trap and provided Sibanda with the demanded money. Ngozo was arrested soon after receiving the trap money,” said a source that preferred anonymity.
Police officers continue to break the law as they are regularly arrested for soliciting for bribes.
Last Wednesday, three cops from Shurugwi Central Police Station were arrested for allegedly extorting $1 200 in bribes, from motorists at a roadblock.
The police anti-corruption unit swooped on the trio along the Gweru-Shurugwi highway.
The officers allegedly failed to account for the money.
Traffic cops are not allowed to carry personal cash while on duty and are subjected to spot checks by their superiors and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) to curb bribery and corruption.
The three cops allegedly harassed the Zacc officers, demanding a bribe, before they identified themselves.
The $1 200, according to police sources, was in a vehicle belonging to one of the traffic officers parked about 10 metres from the roadblock.
The police have declared a zero tolerance to corruption.
Last year about 300 police officers were fired for allegedly demanding bribes or setting up illegal roadblocks to extort money from motorists.
derick.khumalo