Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Court Correspondent
A POLICE officer stationed at Mabvuku Police Station has appeared in court on charges of criminal abuse of office after he was caught allegedly soliciting for a bribe while impersonating a traffic officer.
Prosper Nyamurowa (32) was remanded in custody pending his bail hearing today.
Nyamurowa was not on official duty on November 6, but reportedly donned full police uniform and conducted illegal traffic enforcement at the busy intersection of Julius Nyerere Way and Kenneth Kaunda Avenue in Harare.
According to State prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe, Nyamurowa stopped a Chinese national, Huang Yao, who was driving a LINXIS van, and accused him of committing an unspecified traffic offence.
Nyamurowa then allegedly entered Yao’s vehicle and demanded a US$100 bribe to release him.
Nyamurowa’s suspicious behaviour drew the attention of officers from the Harare Province Anti-Corruption Unit, including Webster Makukutu, Assistant Inspectors Mudzingwa and Muyambo and Sergeant Major Mabvuka, who were patrolling the area.
The anti-corruption team intercepted the van on Fidel Castro Road and questioned both Nyamurowa and Yao about the incident.
Investigations revealed that Nyamurowa was not officially deployed to the intersection and was acting independently without authorisation.
Further inquiries confirmed that the traffic post was already manned by properly assigned officers, undermining Nyamurowa’s claim of conducting legitimate traffic enforcement.
His actions were found to be inconsistent with the duties of a public officer, leading to his arrest.
Nyamurowa is expected to return to court on November 10 for a bail hearing.
