Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti-Herald Reporter
A POLICE officer from Karoi has been jailed for 30 months for extortion after demanding a US$50 bribe to release a confiscated driver’s certificate.
Sergeant Paul Mutingoringo Dzimbanhete (32), stationed at Karoi Urban Police Station, was convicted after a sting operation exposed him for unlawfully demanding cash at a roadblock in June this year.
The dramatic arrest, involving marked money and a failed attempt to swallow evidence, highlighted growing success against police corruption.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said when the transaction occurred, investigators moved in and caught the officer red-handed.
“The internal investigations team moved immediately, capturing the transaction on video,” said the NPAZ.
In a desperate attempt to hide the evidence, Dzimbanhete swallowed the marked US$50 note but failed to destroy the remaining cash. Officers recovered US$3, ZIG10 notes, and a ZRP notebook in was recorded under a list of names labelled “dangerous parking”.
The court found Dzimbanhete guilty of extortion and also convicted him on an alternative charge of criminal abuse of office.
He was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment, with six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective 30 months to serve.
The NPAZ reminded law enforcement officers of their duty to uphold integrity, professionalism, and the law, emphasising that such corruption erodes public trust.
“Corrupt conduct by law enforcement officers erodes public trust and undermines the justice system,” added the NPAZ.
