A female police officer stationed at the Bulawayo Central Traffic section has been arraigned before the courts for allegedly soliciting a US$30 bribe from a commuter bus (kombi) driver.
According to the publication B-Metro, the police officer, Memory Sayi, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Beverly Madzikatire, facing a charge of abuse of office.
Sayi pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted US$100 bail. She was remanded out of custody and will return to court on August 26.
The prosecution, led by Siphiwe Mhlanga, alleged that Sayi and her colleague Zorodzai Matimba were recently assigned to attend the scene of an accident.
On their way back to Bulawayo Central Traffic, they observed a kombi dropping off passengers at an unauthorised place.
The officers then apprehended the kombi driver and took him to the traffic section. While at the station, Sayi was tasked with escorting the offender to the Fines Office to pay a penalty.
However, it is alleged that Sayi told the driver his vehicle had accumulated numerous fines totalling US$160.
She then allegedly offered the driver a way out by demanding a US$30 bribe, which he paid. After receiving the money, Sayi reportedly released the driver.
The driver later reported the incident to the owner of the kombi, leading to Sayi’s arrest and subsequent court appearance.
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