Cop caught in trap with US$40 bribe money
By Auther Chimbgwa
A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer was on Monday caught with US$40 cash following a trap set against him by his colleagues after he had demanded US$200 as a condition to release a theft suspect.
The police operative, who was not named in a National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) post which reported the incident Thursday, appeared at Chitungwiza magistrates’ court facing criminal abuse of duty, alternatively extortion.
According to NPAZ, the police officer had received US$40 in marked trap money inside one of the offices at ZRP Zengeza station, in Chitungwiza.
Members of the Criminal investigating Department (CID) Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU) pounced when the operative had just been handed the marked notes by the friend of a suspect he had arrested for allegedly possessing a stolen Samsung Galaxy A04E.
The suspect, the court heard, on the 7 June 2025 was arrested for allegedly possessing a stolen cell phone.
Following his arrest, the suspect’s friend approached the police officer to seek clarity on the matter.
“It is alleged that instead of offering a professional explanation, the police officer demanded US$200 in exchange for the suspect’s release and for the matter to be shelved,” NPAZ said.
“The friend reported the bribe demand to the CID Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU), triggering a carefully coordinated trap operation.”
On 9 June 2025, the court further heard, a team of PACU detectives accompanied the friend to Zengeza police station where the police officer contacted him and directed him to office G13, and later to G16, for the transaction to be made.
“Under surveillance, the friend handed over US$40 in marked trap money: 1 x US$20 (Serial: PH50115833C) 2 x US$10 (Serials: PK45658296B & PB36416637E) the accused received the cash inside office G16, unaware he was being watched by detectives,” the NPAZ said.
Moments later, prosecutors stated, he was caught red-handed with the trap money in his left hand.
The court granted the him US$100 bail, ordered him to reside at his current address until the matter is finalised.
He was also ordered to report every Friday at CID PACU between 6am and 6pm and strictly warned not to interfere with witnesses or investigations.
The case was remanded to 11 July 2025 for the setting of a trial date.
