Two police officers stationed in Mutare, Dudzai Jennifer Chiponda (47) and Glynislynn Mutsago (38), have been arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a pirate taxi driver and then attempting to flee from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on January 07, 2025. Chiponda and Mutsago arrested an illegal taxi driver for operating in the Mutare Central Business District and demanded a bribe of US$90 to release the vehicle.
The driver pleaded that he did not have the required amount and requested to go to his employer’s residence to collect the money.
Under this pretext, the driver drove to the ZACC offices, parked outside the gate, and entered the premises, leaving the accused officers waiting under a tree across the road.
The driver then reported the matter to ZACC officials, who set a trap. However, the police officers had already disappeared from the area.
The driver, accompanied by a ZACC investigation officer posing as his employer, returned to the CBD, where Chiponda and Mutsago approached and entered the vehicle. They accused the driver of deceiving them and insisted on their demand.
The ZACC investigation officer successfully negotiated for the bribe amount to be reduced to US$20. The two police officers then instructed the driver to drive towards the civic centre, where they followed to collect the bribe.
When ZACC reinforcement approached, Chiponda and Mutsago dropped the money and attempted to flee, but they were quickly apprehended.
The two police officers were granted bail and are scheduled to appear in court again on January 25, 2025, to face charges related to the attempted bribery.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Two police officers named Dudzai Jennifer Chiponda and Glynislynn Mutsago were arrested for asking for money from a pirate taxi driver in Mutare. The driver went to the anti-corruption officers for help. The police officers tried to escape but were caught. They had asked for a bribe of US$90 but were caught trying to take US$20. Now they have to go to court for the attempted bribe. The police officers are in trouble for being corrupt.

ZACC Arrests Two Police Officers Demanding Bribe From Pirate Taxi Driver

Three people were killed and ten others injured when an Isuzu KB 250 side-swiped an overloaded Toyota Probox along Harare-Chirundu Road on New Year’s Eve.
The ZRP confirmed the accident in a post on its official X page, saying the accident occurred around 8 PM.
The Toyota Probox, typically designed to carry up to five passengers, including the driver, had 13 passengers on board.
With two front seats and a rear bench seat that can accommodate three passengers, it suggests that the vehicle may have been used as a pirate taxi (mushikashika). Police said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred on 31/12/24 at around 2000 hours at the 136 kilometre peg along Harare -Chirundu Road.
Three people were killed while ten others were injured when an Isuzu KB 250 vehicle with no passengers on board side swiped with a Toyota Probox vehicle with 13 passengers on board.
The bodies of the victims were taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital mortuary for post mortem while the injured were admitted at the same hospital.
</blockquote>
Members of the public often attribute such fatal accidents to alleged corruption among police officers, as the overloaded vehicle would likely have passed through multiple police roadblocks.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

On New Year's Eve, a Toyota Probox with 13 passengers got hit by an Isuzu KB 250, causing 3 deaths and 10 injuries on Harare-Chirundu Road. The Probox is only meant to carry 5 people, so it may have been used as a pirate taxi. The accident happened around 8 PM. The injured were taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital. Many people blame police corruption for such accidents, as the overloaded vehicle passed through many police roadblocks.

Toyota Probox With 13 Passengers In Deadly New Year's Eve Crash

The City of Bulawayo is mulling a clampdown on pirate taxis, mostly Honda Fit vehicles, which are causing congestion and disorder in the central business district (CBD).
The pirate taxis pick up and drop off passengers at undesignated points resulting in unnecessary congestion.
According to the latest council minutes, Bulawayo councillors said the relevant by-laws should be enforced to remove the pirate taxis from the city’s roads. The minutes read in part:
(Ward 4) Councillor S. (Silas) Chigora applauded Council for the recently ended clean-up campaign and the enforcement of vending by-laws.
<blockquote>
He also applauded other stakeholders who had assisted the council in this operation.
He felt that enforcement should continue and also be extended to illegal pirate taxis, mostly Honda Fits. Illegal pirate taxis had invaded areas adjacent to the City Hall.
There was a lot of fouling in those areas. The relevant by-laws should be enforced. A clean City attracted investors.
</blockquote>
In response, Deputy Mayor Councillor Mlandu Ncube assured councillors that the pirate taxis menace will be attended to. He said:
<blockquote>
The enforcement would also be done on illegal pirate taxis. Councillors should also attend Committee meetings and raise issues and their suggested solutions to some of the problems affecting the city.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/honda-fit-menace-worry/">B-Metro</a>

Bulawayo Council Mulls Clampdown On Pirate Taxis

A speeding wanted robber who was driving a stolen vehicle allegedly caused the road accident that claimed six lives in Mutare recently.
According to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/robber-killed-in-accident-with-stolen-vehicle/">The Manica Post</a>, one of the Honda Fit vehicles that were involved in the accident that killed six people near Mutare Teachers’ College on Sunday morning had been stolen in Chipinge the previous week.
The mastermind of the robbery was driving the car and he died on the spot.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Manicaland Province, Inspector Nobert, Muzondo confirmed the development.
He said that the driver of the stolen vehicle was Tawanda Chitambo (31) of Chikanga 1 in Mutare.
Chitambo had stolen the Honda Fit he was driving from Takudzwa Ngqobi (20) in Chipinge on 29 August.
Insp Muzondo further revealed that police were hunting for Chitambo’s two accomplices in the robbery who were still at large. He said:
<blockquote>
During enquiries to establish the registered owner of the Honda Fit, it was established that the vehicle had been stolen from a taxi operator plying the Mt Selinda-Chipinge route.
Investigations revealed that Mr Ngqobi was hired by the three suspects to ferry them to Mutakura Dam Turn-off.
They lied to the complainant that they wanted to visit a sick relative. The complainant agreed and charged them US$10.
When they arrived at their intended destination, the suspects ordered the complainant to drive further into the bush where they robbed him of his car, US$80 and a cellphone. They tied him up and fled from the scene.
The complainant later freed himself and made a police report.
</blockquote>
Chitambo reportedly started using the stolen vehicle as a pirate tax and was killed in the accident on 4 September after he had picked up passengers in Mutare.

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