Two police officers stationed at the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Mutare have been arrested after allegedly demanding a US$5,000 bribe to release two trucks carrying mineral ore.
The officers, Zhou Taona and Marodza Tinashe, appeared before Harare magistrate Jesse Kufa facing extortion and bribery charges following a sting operation conducted by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to the State, the complainant, Tawanda Zimbowa, a self-employed transport and logistics operator, reported the matter to ZACC after the officers allegedly demanded payment to facilitate the release of trucks transporting mineral ore to Mozambique on behalf of a Chinese national, Pengz Jimming.
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The trucks, driven by Zimbowa and Langford Kamanga, were intercepted on March 21, 2026. The accused officers allegedly seized the vehicles’ registration books and the drivers’ passports, claiming there were irregularities relating to false declaration papers.
Prosecutors told the court that following a series of negotiations, the officers demanded a US$5,000 bribe. Acting on the report, ZACC set up a trap operation during which the money was handed over.
ZACC officials immediately moved in and arrested the two officers, recovering the trap money consisting of five US$100 notes bearing serial numbers PJ97354975A, PB26270934U, PB26270939U, PJ97354978A, and PJ97354967A.
Investigations further revealed that the accused allegedly received an earlier US$15,000 payment from Pengz Jimming but failed to distribute the money to other border officials as allegedly agreed.
The trucks were subsequently clamped, while officials from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority collected mineral ore samples for further investigations.
Tendai Tapi prosecuted.
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