Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
Three officers from Harare Central Police Station found themselves in the dock on Friday, accused of extorting a US$40 bribe from a motorist on New Year’s Eve.
The officers—Tendai Arimon, Webster Mabhugu and Taurai Masere—appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Jessie Kufa and were remanded in custody to January 5 for bail consideration.
They were not asked to plead.
The trio allegedly set up an unauthorised roadblock along Harare Street on December 31, where they targeted motorists driving against the flow of traffic.
Unbeknown to them, their operation was being closely monitored by members of the Harare Province Anti-Corruption Unit.
At around 2pm, the officers stopped a white Mercedes-Benz (registration AFX 9209) driven by Brian Mpofu, who was accompanied by his friend Obey Taruvinga.
They informed Mpofu that he was under arrest for driving against traffic and ordered him to drive toward Harare Central Police Station.
En route, Arimon presented Mpofu with a choice either pay an official fine of US$150 or settle the matter informally with a US$40 bribe. The other officers supported the suggestion.
Under pressure, Mpofu borrowed US$35 from Taruvinga and added US$5 of his own before handing the cash to Arimon. The officers then released him.
Immediately afterward, Mpofu was intercepted by anti-corruption officers who had observed the exchange. He recounted the incident, leading to a formal police report and the subsequent arrest of the three officers.
The case continues.
