Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A ZIMBABWE Republic Police officer, Precious Nyandoro (32), appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa yesterday, facing charges of criminal abuse of office and extortion.
She was granted US$300 bail and is set to return to court on March 6 for further proceedings.
The complainant, Mr Liu Xinpeng (23), an engineer employed by a local mining company, accused Nyandoro of demanding US$1 200 in bribe during a traffic stop.
On February 17, Mr Liu, accompanied by colleagues Messrs Yunge Hou and Baojun Zhang, was on their way to Harare from the Lion and Snake Park in a vehicle driven by Mr Jonathan Sipiriano.
They were stopped at a police checkpoint near a fuel station along Bulawayo Road.
Nyandoro, stationed at ZRP Warren Park Traffic Section, inspected the driver’s licence and the passengers’ passports.
She retained Mr Liu’s passport, alleging irregularities in his immigration documents due to repeated permit renewals instead of securing permanent residency.
Nyandoro then allegedly threatened Mr Liu with arrest unless he paid US$900, later raising the demand to US$1 200.
Mr Liu offered US$120, which Nyandoro rejected, instructing him to secure the full amount.
She took the driver’s contact details and released them.
Mr Liu contacted an acquaintance, Mr Allan Zimondi, who advised him to report the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Nyandoro persistently called the driver demanding the money.
Under ZACC’s guidance, a trap operation was set up.
At Nyandoro’s instruction, Mr Liu and Mr Sipiriano met her at the corner of Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Road and Glenara Avenue in Harare.
Nyandoro directed Sipiriano to approach her with the money, but he insisted she comes to the car.
Suspecting the setup, Nyandoro tried to flee in a vehicle with removed number plates.
She was intercepted and arrested by ZACC officers near a fuel station at Newlands Shopping Centre.
During a search at ZACC offices, Mr Liu’s passport and Mr Sipiriano’s licence were found concealed in Nyandoro’s undergarments, wrapped in black plastic.
Investigations confirmed no irregularities in Mr Liu’s documents to justify their confiscation.
Nyandoro’s actions, of demanding a bribe to release the documents, were deemed unlawful and inconsistent with her duties as a public officer.
