By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Two police officers from Sakubva Police Station in Mutare have been arrested for allegedly assaulting investigators from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) during a bribery investigation. They were convicted by Mutare Magistrate Court.
Mduduzi Makina (39) and Elliot Gava (42) were released on USD100 bail each and are scheduled to appear in court again on January 10, 2025.
Circumstances are that, Makina and Gava were on duty at a roadblock along Mutare-Masvingo road near Mutare Teachers College conducting traffic duties when the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption team reacted to a complaint of corrupt activities taking place at the police roadblock.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), reports that ZACC officers had been surveilling, they witnessed some police officers soliciting and receiving bribes from motorists.
The ZACC Officers moved in and managed to arrest Constable Peace Muchenje for bribery. Thereafter, the team proceeded to seize a roadblock declaration book which they intended to hold as an exhibit.
Makina and Gava then confronted the ZACC officers insisting that they should hand over the declaration book. They pulled one of the ZACC Investigations Officers from the driver’s seat, removed the car keys from the ignition and twisted his arm before grabbing the declaration book and fled from the scene.