Vusumuzi Dube
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
A police officer based at Bulawayo Central traffic has appeared before Bulawayo magistrates court for criminal abuse of office after coercing a commuter omnibus driver to pay her a US$30 bribe before allegedly receipting it and forging the driver’s signature to conceal the offense.
Memory Sayi (38) was arrested after the commuter omnibus driver informed the owner who filed a police report.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, allegations are that on 20 May 2024, Sayi who was in the company of a colleague came across Donald Muchemi, the complainant, who was driving a commuter omnibus and dropped passengers at an undesignated point.
“The two Police Officers arrested the complainant and escorted him to the Bulawayo Traffic Office. Sayi was instructed to escort Muchemi to the Fines Office where he was supposed to deposit his fine.
“Sayi informed the Muchemi that he was going to pay US$ 160 at the Fines Office and allegedly coerced him to pay her US$30 instead. Muchemi later informed the owner of the commuter omnibus of the offence and they made a Police report. When the accused person heard about the complaint she allegedly receipted the USD30 and forged the complainant’s signature,” reads the NPA statement.
Sayi was granted US$100 bail.
Online Reporter