CIO, Soldier, Police Officer Arrested For Demanding A Bribe
A Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer, a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, and a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) are in remand prison on charges of soliciting a bribe.
Munyaradzi Mupesa (32) of CIO Tsholotsho, Tyron Makati (31) of ZRP Victoria Falls and Trust Mirirayi (45) of the Mechanised Battalion in Darwendale were part of a crack team stationed at the Beitbridge border post for a joint operation against smuggling and border jumping when they committed the alleged offence.
The trio allegedly demanded a R6 500 bribe from a motorist travelling from South Africa through the Beitbridge border post on 7 April this year.
The suspects allegedly stopped Martin Severino who was driving a South African registered vehicle with a fake Temporary Import Permit and demanded a bribe.
After paying the bribe, Severino allegedly informed a relative who is also a councillor, Takavingei Mahachi.
Mahachi filed a complaint with the Beitbridge Customs and Excise Regional Manager Kenneth Mungati who reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the security officers.
They appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Tafadzwa Gwazemba facing charges of criminal abuse of office.
The magistrate remanded the trio in custody to 5 May after Prosecutor Tinayeishe Matenga successfully opposed bail.
