Four cops nabbed at road block

By Patrick Chitumba

Four police officers have been arrested at a roadblock they were manning along Matobo road in Gweru after they were allegedly found in possession of $67 suspected to be bribe money collected from motorists.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the arrest of the quartet based at Monomotapa Police Station in Mtapa suburb.

Insp Goko could not give details of the arrest referring further questions to the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not reachable.

However, sources close to the matter said the four police officers were arrested by the Police General Headquarters Anti-Corruption team on Sunday at around 11:50AM at a road block opposite Mtapa cemetery in Gweru.

The arrested police officers are Sergeant Gwadaura and Constables Manatsa, Kachiputu and Sithole.

“Circumstances are that on February 10 at around 11:30AM, a team of six members from Police General Headquarters Internal Investigations visited a roadblock site along Matobo road opposite Mtapa cemetery in Gweru.

“The roadblock was being manned by Sgt Gwadaura, Cst Manatsa, Cst Kachiputu, Cst Sithole, Cst Matsetlo, Cst Mahachi, and Cst Mapasure all stationed at ZRP Monomotapa,” said the source.

The source said the team parked their vehicle at an observation point where they had a clear view of what was happening at the roadblock.

During the process, the source said, the team observed Cst Sithole and Cst Manatsa leaving the roadblock site into Mtapa cemetery where they started counting some money behind a precast wall.

“The PGHQ Internal Investigation team pounced on them and the two Constables fled from the scene leaving behind a police cap STU and cash amounting to $36 bond coins which was picked by the Internal Investigations team and taken as exhibit.

“At the roadblock site the PGHQ Internal Investigation team searched the other members before instructing Cst Kachiputu and Cst Matsetlo to remove the roadblock drums.

“It is alleged that Cst Kachiputu was observed throwing some money into the roadblock drum. The money was recovered from the drum and amounted to $27,” said the source.

The source said the investigations team made an entry in the roadblock book as well as in the Charge Office Diary where they indicated that Sgt Gwadaura was to be charged for allegedly performing duty in an improper manner emanating from the fact that he failed to supervise his subordinates.

“Disciplinary action in respect of the defaulters is being taken and they are expected to appear before a disciplinary court soon as the arresting details have indicated that they will only be available for court after seven days since they had other assignments,” said the source.The Chronicle