Harare Suspends Eight Municipal Police Officers Over Corruption Allegations
The City of Harare has suspended eight municipal police officers over allegations of misconduct inconsistent with their prescribed duties.
According to the local authority’s Corporate Communications Manager, Stanley Gama, the suspended employees were involved in corrupt activities.
On October 21, 2024, at Reliance Mall in Harare’s CBD, patrol officers Takudzwa Majachani and Sipiwe Matavire, who are part of the Environmental Patrolwomen Unit, allegedly masqueraded as police officers tasked with shop licensing duties, despite not being authorized to do so. They demanded shop licenses from a shop owner at the mall, actions that were clearly outside their remit.
On the same day, at Superbrite Soap Manufacturing Company in Workington, patrolmen Taurai Guregure, Hebert Mukumba, Tonderai Nyikadzino, and Douglas Nyemba also posed as police officers responsible for shop licensing. They were intercepted by a team of investigators and found in possession of four dozen bars of soap that they had allegedly extorted from the company.
On October 24, 2024, at 80 Lorraine Drive in Mabelreign, council employees Ignatius Pesvani and Newman Mhereyenyoka, under the Harare Water Department, similarly pretended to be police officers on licensing duties. They demanded shop licenses from Kartoque Company but were arrested by members of the public and handed over to the ZRP Mabelreign Police Station.
On October 26, parking supervisors Mapfumo and Muringisi were reported for arresting a motorist for parking over the lines. They allegedly demanded a bribe of USD $20 in exchange for letting the motorist go. When the bribe was handed over, they disembarked from the car they had initially boarded with the intent of taking it to Central Stores for impounding.
Gama said the City of Harare does not tolerate corruption and urged residents to report any suspicious actions by council officials.
More: Pindula News
