ZIMSPHERE
MUTARE – Two police officers stationed in Mutare, identified as Dudzai Jennifer Chiponda (47) and Glynislynn Mutsago (38), appeared before the Mutare Magistrates' Court facing charges of bribery. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) disclosed details of the incident.
The charges stem from events that occurred on January 7, 2025.
According to the State's case, Chiponda and Mutsago arrested an illegal taxi driver operating in Mutare's Central Business District (CBD) for pirating without proper authorization. Instead of processing the case through formal channels, the officers allegedly demanded a bribe of US$90 to release the driver’s vehicle.
However, the driver, unable to pay the amount, proposed that they visit his employer's residence to collect the money. Under this pretense, he drove to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) offices, located nearby.
Upon arrival, he parked the vehicle outside the ZACC premises, leaving the officers waiting under a tree across the road.
Inside, the driver reported the matter to ZACC officials, prompting the anti-corruption body to set up a sting operation.
While ZACC officials were preparing their trap, the accused officers vanished from the scene.
The driver, now accompanied by an undercover ZACC investigator posing as his employer, returned to the CBD to lure the officers back.
As anticipated, Chiponda and Mutsago reappeared, entering the vehicle and accusing the driver of deceiving them. They reiterated their demand for a bribe, though a negotiation led to the amount being reduced to US$20.
The officers instructed the driver to head toward the Civic Centre, where they intended to collect the reduced bribe. Unbeknownst to them, a team of ZACC reinforcements was closing in.
When the officers realized they were being cornered, they panicked, dropping the money and attempting to flee the scene. Their escape attempt was short-lived, as they were swiftly apprehended by the ZACC officials.
Chiponda and Mutsago were granted bail and are scheduled to return to court on January 25, 2025.
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