A serving police officer has been jailed for 10 months after being convicted of criminal abuse of duty for demanding a bribe from a motorist during an unauthorised traffic stop.
Abel Musimeki (35), stationed at ZRP Milton Park in Harare, was sentenced by the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court following an incident that took place on 19 September 2024 at Ruswa Complex in Mandava.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Musimeki unlawfully stopped a Toyota Funcargo vehicle, claiming it was improperly registered.
He then ordered the driver to locate the car owner, Edwin Rangarirai Mahosi, an auto-electrician based in Mandava.
Upon meeting Mahosi, Musimeki falsely identified himself as part of an official vehicle licensing operation and threatened to impound the vehicle unless he was paid. Fearing the consequences, Mahosi handed over US$15.
However, after discussing the matter with a friend, Mahosi became suspicious and reported the incident to the police. Musimeki was subsequently tracked down and arrested.
He was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, of which four months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
An additional two months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the US$15 to the victim, leaving an effective custodial sentence of 10 months. The NPA said:
Law enforcement officers are entrusted with upholding the law not abusing their authority for personal gain.
This conviction reinforces the NPA’s commitment to rooting out corruption and maintaining public trust in the justice delivery system.
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