adminVitalis Kavele Court Reporter
A Harare traffic police officer has been arrested for accepting a R300 bribe from a commuter omnibus driver. Sergeant Munyaradzi Chagadama (33) of Warren Park Police Station appeared before a Mbare magistrate yesterday facing charges of criminal abuse of office.Allegations are that on December 8 at corner Samora Machel Avenue and Greendale Drive, Chagadama arrested Russia Nyika for a plethora of traffic offences and confiscated his driver’s licence and impounded his kombi, which was taken to Highlands Police Station. On December 12, Chagadama phoned Nyika advising him to pay US$135 as a fine for the offences. It is alleged that after negotiations, the two agreed on US$30 as a fine.
Chagadama did not release Nyika’s driver’s licence and told him to pay a US$100 bribe to get it back.
Nyika made a report to the policeman’s superiors, who then laid a trap for the rogue cop.
Nyika negotiated further with Chagadama and they agreed on an R300 bribe. The two met near Highfield Polyclinic and Chagadama was arrested soon after accepting the R300. The trial continues on January 14 next year.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu