Mutare – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a public prosecutor and two police officers in Mutasa on charges of extortion and criminal abuse of duty after they allegedly demanded bribes to release an impounded truck and influence the outcome of a criminal case.
The suspects, Shephard Chavarika, a prosecutor at Mutasa Magistrate Court, and police officers Liberty Tivafukidze and Sencia Masase from Mutasa Police Station, are accused of soliciting payments from two complainants following the impoundment of a truck transporting agricultural produce from Honde Valley to Harare on 26 March.
According to ZACC, the truck was seized at a Marara roadblock on suspicion of carrying smuggled goods. The owners of the goods were arrested and taken to court, with Chavarika prosecuting the matter.
On 3 April, Constable Tivafukidze allegedly summoned one of the truck owners to Hauna, where she met him and Chavarika. The two reportedly demanded a US$500 bribe to release the vehicle. The complainant paid US$170 in cash and sent a further US$100 via EcoCash.
Chavarika allegedly promised that the truck would be released by 9 April. However, the vehicle was later transferred to the ZIMRA compound at Forbes Border Post. The trio allegedly then demanded an additional US$300 to secure the acquittal of the suspects involved in the case.
The complainants reported the matter to ZACC, which set up a sting operation. The suspects were arrested at Mutasa Magistrates Court, and US$200 was recovered from Chavarika.
They appeared before Mutare Provincial Magistrate Enia Ndiraya and were released on US$100 bail each. They are expected back in court on 5 June.
