Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A 32-year-old traffic officer, Pedzisai Nyamakura, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for abuse of office after he received a US$10 bribe from a motorist.
The incident happened in the Harare Central Business District.
Nyamakura was arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Team while on duty patrolling the Greater Harare area in June.
The operation targeted bogus police officers, unsanctioned deployments and other corrupt or wayward conduct by members of the police.
The State’s case was that on that fateful day, the team observed Nyamakura talking to two men in civilian attire at the intersection of Samora Machel Avenue and Fifth Street.
One of the men left and returned after about ten minutes, handing Nyamakura a US$10 note.
Nyamakura then released the driver and the vehicle.
The Anti-Corruption Team intercepted the vehicle.
During a search, Nyamakura was found with cash totalling US$24.
Fourteen dollars was in his right pocket and the US$10 bribe was in his left pocket.
Nyamakura failed to account for the money.
The driver told the officers that he was driving a Mazda Demio, along Samora Machel Avenue, when he was stopped by police officers.
He said Nyamakura’s team, which stopped him, had two other female officers.
He said he was told that he was guilty of encroaching on the transverse line at a traffic lights intersection.
He said the two female officers left him with Nyamakura, who demanded a bribe for his release.
Nyamakura was charged with two counts.
On 6 August, Nyamakura was convicted of criminal abuse of office under Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) and sentenced to three years in prison.
