Cop arrested over $1 bribe

Michael Mashiri

A police officer stationed at Harare Central has been arraigned before the court accused of collecting bribes from motorists.

Talkmore Phiri, 40, of Kuwadzana 2 Police Camp, appeared before magistrate Munashe Chibanda at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts accused of criminal abuse of office.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that on January 6, 2024, at around 2000 hours the complainant was approached by one man who said there was a police officer who was in police uniform soliciting for bribes from motorists and commuter omnibuses drivers.

The complainant, who was with his colleague, went and saw Phiri.

They saw him as he went into a Musanhi bus.

While on the bus, Phiri was seen being given a US$1 by the bus conductor, Honest Musanhi.

Complainant and his colleague were outside the bus but seeing what was transpiring through the window.

Phiri got off the bus and went on to demand an unspecified amount from a mushika shika motorist and was handed.

He then went again to another commuter omnibus and was again given money.

It is alleged that Phiri was then approached by complainant and they identified themselves to him as members from one organisation, Southern Africa Anti-corruption Organisation and informed him that he had committed an offence by demanding money from commuter omnibus drivers and mushika shika motorists.

He was then arrested and put in their car.

While in the car, Phiri dropped off US$15 from his pocket and it was taken as exhibit.

He was handed over to Harare Central police for further management.

Phiri will appear in court on February 12 and he was ordered to deposit US$50 bail.