George Maponga in Masvingo
A daring Masvingo man has been arrested for masquerading as a police officer before receiving US$2 bribe from a butchery operator for violating lockdown regulations.
Peter Mukombe of Runyararo West suburb pounced an a butchery operator at Majange Business Centre in the city on Wednesday and demanded a bribe to stop arresting Josphat Gwerete who was selling meat well after curfew.
Mukombe demanded US$2 which he was given by Gwerete after producing a fake police identity card.
He allegedly told Mukombe that he was a police officer attached to the plain clothes division before demanding the bribe around 7pm.
According to Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa lucky ran out for Mukombe after Gwerete became suspicious and alerted uniformed police officers on patrol at the business centre.
The police team probed Mukombe and realised that he was an impostor before arresting him and also recovering the US$2 bribe money.
Inspector Dhewa said Mukombe will appear in court soon facing impersonation charges.
He warned members of the public against paying bribes to police officers saying genuine law enforcement agents do not demand bribes or request payment in foreign currency.



