Three game rangers from Umguza Rural District Council are set to appear in court after they were arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a woman they had caught with firewood.
Nevison Mpofu (45), Mtshado Mkandhla (60) and Shepherd Moyo (55) are being charged with criminal abuse of office after they demanded a bribe of US$50 from Matinyanya Rwodzi (58).
State allegations against the three are that on June 12, 2020, at around 19:45 PM Rwodzi was in a Ford Ranger vehicle which was being driven by her son Given Ndlovu (25).
“The driver of the vehicle was intercepted at Emakhandeni turn off by a white Nissan hardbody which was being driven by Moyo,” the State alleged.
“The three accused persons then disembarked from their vehicle informed Rwodzi that she was under arrest for carrying firewood and should pay a fine of US$150 or ZWL$7000 at Umguza Rural District Council.”
The State alleged that Rwodzi went home with the accused persons to collect the fine and they proceeded to Umguza Rural District Council.
“Along the way, the accused persons demanded a bribe and were given US$50 and released Rwodzi without a receipt of paying the fine,” the State alleged.
“On June 18, 2020, Rwodzi proceeded to Umguza Rural District Council and made a complaint which led to the arrest of the accused persons. They are detained under ZRP Luveve and investigations are in progress.”
