A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer has been arrested and charged with criminal abuse of duty as a public officer, or alternatively, extortion, following a bribery scandal that unfolded at ZRP Zengeza.
The police officer, who has not been named, appeared at Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Court. He was granted bail of US$100 and ordered to reside at his current address until the matter is finalised.
He was also ordered to report every Friday at CID PACU between 6 AM and 6 PM and strictly warned not to interfere with witnesses or investigations.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on June 7, 2025, a suspect was arrested for allegedly possessing a stolen Samsung Galaxy A04E.
That same day, the suspect’s friend approached the investigating officer (the accused) to seek clarity on the case. Said the NPA:
It is alleged that instead of offering a professional explanation, the accused demanded US$200 in exchange for the suspect’s release and for the matter to be “shelved.”
The friend reported the bribe demand to the CID Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU), triggering a carefully coordinated trap operation.
On the 9th of June 2025, a team of PACU detectives accompanied the friend to ZRP Zengeza, where the accused contacted the suspect’s friend and directed him to office G13, and later to office G16 for the transaction.
Under surveillance, the friend handed over US$40 in marked trap money:1 x US$20 (Serial: PH50115833C) 2 x US$10 (Serials: PK45658296B & PB36416637E) the accused received the cash inside office G16, unaware he was being watched by detectives.
Moments later, he was caught red-handed with the trap money in his left hand and immediately arrested.
The case has been remanded to July 11, 2025, for the setting of a trial date.
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