KADOMA — Four police officers who allegedly mounted a roadblock along the Kadoma-Ngezi Road illegally collecting $5 from each commuter minibus as security of passage have been arrested.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Ranganai Pasura (37), Moses Makandiwa (26), Constance Musendo (30) and Admire Nyuke (27) were found in possession of more money than they were expected to have during a spot check on September 26.
The spot check was conducted by police internal investigations officer Fradreck Mukambami and his team who then arrested them.
The four have since appeared before the Kadoma Magistrates’ Court facing charges of criminal abuse of office. Allegations against them are that while manning the roadblock, they connived to corruptly collect $5 from every commuter omnibus passing through the route.
After paying the fees, the drivers of the vehicles would then be allowed to operate without being arrested for other traffic offences which attract fines of up to $20.
The State alleges that when Mukambami and his team conducted a body search on them, Nyuke dropped three $5 notes in an attempt to hide evidence.
“Body searches were conducted and accused three (Nyuke) dropped three $5 notes which he had not receipted in the Z69J book and failed to give an explanation why he was carrying extra cash,” reads part of the State outline.
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Police officers manning a roadblock are not supposed to carry any extra cash except for the money that tallies with fines issued at the roadblock.
The internal investigators also found Makandiwa in possession of a rough piece of paper which had registration numbers of commuter omnibuses which had paid the “toll fees”.
Police then tracked two commuter omnibuses whose numbers appeared on the paper and interviewed the drivers who confirmed having paid the money to the police officer.
The drivers Elivis Chiruzvi and Innocent Pitu will be brought to court as State witnesses when trial opens on November 11 before magistrate Farai Gwitima.
Reginald Chavora appeared for the State when the matter was first heard on September 30 with the police officers pleading not guilty.
