Takudziridzwa Nyama
A 56 year old Harare municipal police officer, Mugove Chiradza, has been sentenced to two years in prison for bribery and obstruction of justice. Chiradza’s troubles began when he and his colleagues raided a snooker table operation at Westgate roundabout, seizing equipment and alleging the owner was operating without a license.
Chiradza was convicted by Harare Magistrate Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), reports that Chiradza and his colleagues from the Harare City Municipal Police raided Westgate roundabout area, where the complainant operates three snooker tables.
They seized 2 tents, 13 snooker balls and 8 snooker sticks belonging to the complainant, alleging that the complainant was operating from a prohibited place and without a license.
Chiradza called the complainant on the 9th of July and told him that he might not recover his seized goods and that he could facilitate their release for a fee of USD60.
The matter was reported to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on the same day, leading to the arrest of Chiradza using a trap.
On the second charge, Chiradza tried to conceal evidence when he was released on bail, by instructing his juniors to add the seized property into the exhibition book.
He also forged the complainant signature on the Form of Notice.