Zimpapers Logo

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A GWANDA police officer has been arrested for allegedly trying to bribe anti-corruption officers with $50 after he was caught receiving a $10 bribe from a commuter omnibus driver at a roadblock.

Phillip Mwinde, 36, a police officer stationed at Colleen Bawn, was arraigned before magistrate Sheila Nazombe to answer to bribery charges. Through his lawyer from Mugiya and Macharaga Legal Practitioners, Mwinde denied the allegations. He will again appear in court tomorrow.

Prosecuting, Maxwell Machokoto said on July 1 this year, Mwinde, Sergeant Major Munoda, Constable Shamu and Constable Chide were manning a roadblock at the 151km peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road.

He said at around 1.15PM, a team of four officers from Police General Headquarters Internal Investigations approached the roadblock site.

They introduced themselves and thereafter the team leader Assistant Inspector Zvenyika instructed Sergeant Mwanga and Constable Mushaninga to follow Mwinde who was heading towards a commuter omnibus.

“Cst Mushaninga saw the accused person throwing some notes on the ground and he ordered the accused person to pick them up but he refused.

“Cst Mushaninga then picked up the two notes and took the accused person to the team leader Asst Insp Zvenyika,” Machokoto said.

Mwinde allegedly failed to account for the money and was arrested.

Further allegations are that along the way while Mwinde was being taken for disciplinary action, he sensed danger and offered to give the investigating team $50 as money “for drinks.”

“Sensing danger, the accused person offered a $50 bribe so that he could be released. The team escorted him to ZB Bank where he withdrew the money and gave it to Asst Insp Zvenyika,” the court heard.

After being given the money, the team arrested Mwinde for bribery.