Bribe Backfires As Dema Officer Caught Red-Handed by Anti-Corruption Team

A police officer stationed at ZRP Dema was arrested on Saturday, September 21, by the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) after allegedly soliciting a bribe from a kombi driver.

Constable Personal Dzuramera, one of seven officers involved in a traffic operation called “Operation No To Lawlessness on the Roads” along the Harare–Hwedza route, was apprehended during the sting.

The incident occurred when a commuter omnibus driven by Verengai Fete, traveling from Marondera to Harare, was stopped at a checkpoint. The driver was asked to pay a US$30 fine for an unspecified offence, but when he indicated he only had US$10, Dzuramera allegedly told him to hand over the amount.

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According to a SARACO report, this exchange took place in full view of four SARACO members who were riding in the kombi, along with two other female passengers.

The anti-corruption team then stepped out of the vehicle, introduced themselves, and confronted the officer.

Dzuramera reportedly took the US$10 from his pocket and discarded it along with a notebook, but the money was retrieved by one of the anti-corruption officers, Intelligence Officer Kasere.

Dzuramera was subsequently taken to ZRP Dema along with his colleagues, where the officer in charge, Chief Inspector Shayanewako, was briefed on the incident.

A report was filed under ZRP Dema RRB number 6052555.

Chief Superintendent Chokuda from the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) Internal Investigations unit was informed of the case and instructed the officer in charge to ensure that a docket was opened and the necessary legal procedures followed, including taking the accused to court within the required time frame.

The investigation is ongoing, and Dzuramera is expected to face charges of criminal abuse of office under Section 174 of the Criminal Code.

It is reported that Dzuramera took US$10 (serial number PD 56195727 A) from the driver and returned US$5 (serial number QE22746714 B), which he stated was intended for tollgate fees.

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