Three cops kill for $10 bribe

Herald Reporter
Three police officers have been arrested in Murehwa after they fatally assaulted a kombi driver following a misunderstanding over a $10 bribe on Saturday.

The three, two males and a female, were yesterday still assisting with investigations.

Police confirmed the incident which occurred at a roadblock at Bemba Farm along the Marondera-Murehwa Road at around 3pm.

Sources said the trio demanded $10 from Mugove Manonge (30) after they had arrested him at the roadblock for a traffic offence.

Manonge allegedly told them that he had $5 on him, resulting in an argument with the cops who assaulted him until he fell unconscious.

He died on the spot.

According to a police report (case number CR 05/11/12), Manonge had a misunderstanding with five police officers at a roadblock along the Marondera-Murehwa Road and they manhandled him.

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“This resulted in the five officers manhandling the deceased intending to handcuff him since he was resisting,” reads part of the report.

“As a result of the struggle, deceased fell down and became unconscious. This subsequently led to his death.”

Marondera Commuters Association vice chairperson Mr Richard Gumbochena also confirmed the incident.

“He (Manonge) was a driver as well as the owner of the kombi that he was driving.

“According to reports, on that day he drove to Marondera from Murehwa to drop some passengers and passed through the same roadblock.

“On his way back from ferrying some people who were going for a church service he was stopped at the roadblock.”

Mr Gumbochena said the cops told him that he was under arrest for various traffic offences and they wanted a spot fine.

Manonge reportedly told the officers that he had no money for the “tickets” and this resulted in an argument.

It is alleged that the officers, with the help of members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee tried to handcuff him and during the process they were assaulting him until he fell down.

A report was made leading to the arrest of the three officers.

A post mortem was conducted yesterday in Harare which showed that Manonge died as a result of strangulation.

Manonge, who is survived by his wife and daughter, will be buried today at his rural home in Hwedza.