Three Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, Washington Machingauta (26), Nicholas Mutafuni (24), and Abraham Karamatsenga (33), appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Alfas Chitakunye yesterday, facing allegations of corruption during the recent Harare Agricultural Show.
The officers, who were on leave during the show week but volunteered for paid duties, were assigned to gate control, checking for valid tickets or badges from showgoers. However, it is alleged that they colluded with groups of youths to allow people into the show for bribes below the official entry fee.
The court heard that the youths, in exchange for payment, used exhibitors’ badges to grant free entry to individuals. The money collected was then allegedly handed over to the three policemen.
These illicit exchanges were witnessed by Herald reporters, who then alerted senior police officers. The three officers were subsequently arrested and charged with contravening section 3 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which forbids receiving a reward for any act related to the principles of business.
The incident highlights a concerning trend of corruption within the Zimbabwean police force, a problem that has plagued the country for years. While law enforcement officers are often present at large events like the Harare Agricultural Show to ensure public safety, their presence has, in the past, been marred by allegations of misconduct and bribery.
The impact of corruption within the police force is far-reaching, eroding public trust, fuelling crime rates, and undermining the very foundations of justice. It allows for the abuse of power, obstructs access to justice, weakens governance structures, and imposes significant economic burdens on businesses.
