Police officer faces abuse of office rap

Michael Mashiri

A ZRP officer, who allegedly was part of a team that was collecting bribes from motorists along Bishop Gaul Avenue in Belvedere, has been taken to court.

Courage Madamba, of CABS Section in Norton, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with criminal abuse of office.

He was granted a US$100 bail and will appear in court on April 11.

The State alleges that on March 19, Washington Magorokosho was driving a Nissan NP200 along Bishop Gaul, Belvedere. When he reached Vehicle Inspection Department near Christ Ministries High School in Belvedere, he pulled off the road to talk to a certain lady.

It is alleged that while he was talking to the lady, Madamba, a police officer stationed at ZRP Police Protection Unit with other two, Constable Chako and another known as Jack, who are still at large approached Magorokosho and arrested him for parking at an illegal place.

The officers’ deployment was not sanctioned.

It is alleged that Madamba demanded US$290 from Magorokosho for his release, but refused the bribe offer.

They then escorted him to the police station. Along the way, the arresting detail, one Constable Shonhayi had received a tip-off that the accused persons were arresting motorists, taking bribes and releasing them.

He interrogated Magorokosho and he narrated his story, leading to the arrest of Madamba.