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Mathew Masinge
FOUR cops based in Harare appeared in court accused of demanding a bribe from a pirate kombi driver.
The four constables, Learnmore Maburitse (32), Emmanuel Matema (32), Bernard Mukande (37) and Leeyer Mumba (37), appeared before Harare magistrate Apolonia Marutya accused of demanding a payment of US$40 in return for not impounding the driver’s vehicle.
It is alleged that the officers refused the driver’s offer of US$5.
After the driver’s manager became involved, a trap was set and the four constables were apprehended.
They are expected back in court on February 16 next year for a possible trial date.
The State said on December 7, the four, who are currently attached to Harare Central Operations, were deployed for the “No to Mushikashika” operation covering streets between Samora Machel Avenue and Jason Moyo Avenue.
At around 9am, the four approached Peter Marufu, who was driving a Toyota Quantum plying the City-Kuwadzana route and stopped him at the Rotten Row and Jason Moyo Avenue traffic lights.
They accused Marufu of carrying excess passengers and ordered him to offload all passengers, and he complied.
The court heard that the four cops ordered Marufu to drive his vehicle towards Harare City Council Central Stores along Coventry Road.
However, along the way, the four solicited for US$40 from Marufu for them not to impound the vehicle.
The officers rejected a US$5 which he claimed was the only money on him.
Marufu then called his manager, Lucky Mudawanhu, who promised to bring more cash and the constables ordered the kombi driver to park opposite Colcom Industries.
Mudawanhu made a police report and a trap was set leading to the arrest of the dirty cops.
Zebediah Bofu represented the State.
Online Reporter