Chitungwiza Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) official found himself in handcuffs after being accused of extorting US$20 from a beverages delivery truck crew.
The unfolding drama occurred on Thursday, 14 March, at a roadblock along Seke Road, near the Zuva service station adjacent to Makoni Shopping Centre.
According to reports, the VID official, whose name has been withheld, along with a colleague, stopped a CODIECARE delivery truck driven by Patrick Mujuru and accompanied by salesperson Terence Nhatiso.
Upon halting the truck, the official demanded a payment of US$20 from Nhatiso, allegedly without specifying any offence committed.
Nhatiso was reportedly warned that failure to comply with the demand would result in the impoundment of their vehicle, which would incur a hefty US$500 fee for release.
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Acting on a tip-off regarding the VID officers’ alleged extortion practices, members of the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) discreetly observed the situation from a nearby vehicle.
Their investigation revealed that the VID officers were operating without the presence of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, which raised suspicions of irregular conduct.
After the VID officials departed, the SARACO team approached the CODIECARE employees to gather information about the incident. Subsequently, the crew reported the matter to the Makoni Police Station with the assistance of SARACO members.
Accompanied by Assistant Inspector Sande from ZRP Makoni and Constable Ncube, the CODIECARE employees and SARACO members visited the VID Chitungwiza Depot to address the issue.
There, they engaged Thabani Waniwa, the senior vehicle inspector at VID, who summoned the two officials allegedly involved in the extortion.