A ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Manage,emt Authority (ZimParks) game ranger has been jailed for soliciting bribes from fishermen to release impounded boats seized during a Lake Kariba patrol.
Cleopas Dzapasi (44), based in Kariba and residing at ZimParks’ Peter’s Point Quarters, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at the Kariba Magistrates Court this week.
Four months of his sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour and a further two months suspended on condition he pays restitution, leaving him to serve an effective six-month jail term.
The court heard that Dzapasi was convicted on two counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
According to the State, Dzapasi was on duty patrolling near Rhino Island on December 19, 2023 around 6am when he arrested Innocent Kasonga and seven other fishermen for illegal entry into Lake Kariba.
He seized a fibre boat, registration KF1583, powered by a 13 horsepower Changfa engine, plus four metal dingy boats as exhibits.
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Kasonga owned the recovered Changfa engine.
The fishermen were released and ordered to pay deposit fines totalling US$1 800 for admission of guilt and release of the boats.
Kasonga and his colleagues failed to raise the cash and advised Dzapasi.
The prosecution alleged that on the morning of December 28, 2023 at Nyamhunga Shopping Centre, Dzapasi received US$150 from Kasonga to facilitate the release of the impounded Changfa engine, the court heard.
On the same patrol, Dzapasi also impounded Kasonga’s fibre boat KF1583.
Brandon Manuel was the owner of that boat. Kasonga advised Manuel that his fibre boat had been impounded.
On January 1, 2024 at around 4pm at Mahombekombe Shopping Centre, Dzapasi received US$100 from Manuel to facilitate the release of the impounded fibre boat.
In both cases, Dzapasi became evasive after taking the money, prompting the complainants to explain the situation to one Reason Muswere, who informed his superiors on January 21, 2024.
When called, Dzapasi
confirmed receiving the money on both occasions and undertook to refund the complainants, but failed to do so.
The State, as complainant, reported the matter to police after Dzapasi did not refund the money.
The conviction adds to growing concerns over corruption in anti-poaching and fisheries enforcement on Lake Kariba, where cash fines and impounded gear are common points of conflict between rangers and fishing communities.