By Charmaine Kwenda.
Abel Musimeki(35), a serving police officer has been convicted and sentenced for criminal abuse of duty by the Zvishavane Magistrate Court after he unlawfully demanded and received US$15 from a motorist during an illegal stop.
Musimeki was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, however 4 months were suspended for 5 years on a condition of good behaviour, a further 2 months also suspended on a condition that he restitutes the victim , the amount of US$15. Hence the effective sentence is 10months imprisonment.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe stated that, “On the 19th of September 2024, at Ruswa Complex in Mandava, the offender based at ZRP Milton park in Harare stopped a Toyota Fun cargo ,alleging that it was not properly registered.He order the driver to locate the car owner and upon meeting the the victim, the offender falsely claimed to be an official vehicle licensing operation and threatened to impound the car unless he was paid.”
” Out of fear that when the victim handed over US$15.After the consulting a friend, the victim grew suspicious and reported the matter to the police.”
He offender was later tracked down and arrested.
The NPAZ has emphasised that law enforcement officers are entrusted with upholding the law not abusing their authority for personal gain and this conviction reinforces the commitment to rooting out corruption and maintaining public trust in the justice delivery system.