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Mbongeni Msimanga Chronicle Correspondent
FIVE Bulawayo police officers were yesterday arrested for soliciting bribes from motorists at a road block along Siyephambili Drive. The five police officers, Inspector Takawira Mukadzi and Constables Murombedzi, Lice, Mutote and Masakwata were arrested amid jubilation from touts who cheered and ululated as the drama unfolded.

Witnesses said four detectives from the anti-corruption unit boarded a kombi travelling towards the city centre pretending to be commuters.

“On arrival at the road block, the detectives handed over a 50 pula note to the driver after the police officers manning the road block allegedly demanded a bribe,” said a passenger.

A tout told The Chronicle there was commotion as the detectives pounced on the police officers and arrested them soon after they pocketed the bribe money.

“We whistled and cheered because this particular group of cops is a menace on the road. A vehicle will never pass their roadblock without parting with cash equivalent to the fare for four passengers (about R30),” said the tout.

A kombi driver said the arrest proved the police force’s commitment to ending the “cancer of bribery.”

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango could neither confirm nor deny the incident, saying she was out of office.

“I’m not in the office at the moment and I can’t comment on the matter,” she said.

A police source said the five police officers were found with $158.

“As per police procedure, police officers manning roadblocks are meant to declare money in their possession in a document to prove they have not solicited bribes from motorists,” said the source.

“The police officers were found with a total of $158 that they had not declared upon arrival at the road block and it was suspected to be bribe money”.

Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has declared zero tolerance to corruption.

Last year, 368 police officers were fired from the force for various offences, mainly involving corruption.

More are being arrested for soliciting bribes by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).