daniel chigunwe
H-Metro Reporter
TWO police officers stationed in Mutare have been trapped in a US$90 bribery storm involving a pirate taxi driver.
Dudzai Jennifer Chiponda (47) and Glynislynn Mutsago (38) appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court on allegations of bribery.
They were granted bail and are expected back in court on January 25.
Allegations are that on January 7, the two arrested a pirate taxi driver for illegally pirating in the Mutare Central Business District. It is alleged that they demanded a bribe of US$90 for them to release his car.
The driver pleaded with them that he did not have the money and they could go to his employer’s home to collect the money.
The State claims he drove to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) offices under the pretext he was going to his employer’s house.
He parked outside the gate and entered the premises leaving the accused persons loitering under a tree across the road.
He reported the matter to ZACC officials, who set a trap.
However, the accused persons had already disappeared.
The driver, accompanied by a ZACC officer, who was posing as his employer, drove to the CBD where they parked.
The two officers entered the car and accused the driver of deceiving them and insisted he hands them the US$90 they had demanded.
The driver successfully negotiated for the amount to be reduced to US$20.
The two officers were then arrested when they collected the money.
daglous masveta
