A 34-year-old man has been arrested in Harare for allegedly impersonating a City of Harare municipal police officer and extorting money from small business operators.
City authorities identified the suspect as Romeo Madododo, who was apprehended outside Town House while allegedly attempting to solicit a bribe from one of his victims under the guise of enforcing municipal bylaws.
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Madododo was arrested by legitimate municipal police officers before being handed over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. He is currently being held at Harare Central Police Station, where he faces charges of fraud and impersonation, and is expected to appear in court soon.
The City of Harare has urged members of the public who may have been duped by the suspect to come forward and file reports at Harare Central Police Station.
In a related statement, the City warned residents about criminal gangs posing as municipal police officers, particularly in the central business district and high-traffic areas. The gangs allegedly accuse motorists of violating parking regulations before forcing their way into vehicles and stealing cash and other valuables.
City officials said some suspects linked to these crimes have already been identified, including a group operating in Mbare near Rufaro Stadium. The gang is accused of robbing a motorist travelling to Beitbridge last week, with two suspects reportedly captured in a video that later circulated widely on social media.
The City has appealed to victims of these crimes to report the incidents to the police to aid investigations and ensure the suspects are brought to justice.
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