Two Mutare-based police officers, Sergeant Mduduzi Makina (39) and Constable Elliot Gava (42), appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, facing charges of assaulting Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officials. The court granted each officer US$100 bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 10 January 2025.
This seemingly routine seizure quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. According to the State’s case, Makina and Gava intervened, demanding the return of the declaration book. A struggle ensued, resulting in one ZACC investigator being forcibly removed from the driver’s seat of their vehicle, having his car keys taken, and his arm twisted. The two officers then seized the declaration book and fled the scene. The ZACC investigators sustained injuries during the altercation.
The State alleges that Makina and Gava’s actions constituted obstruction of justice and resisting a peace officer. The brazen assault on the ZACC investigators has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about police conduct and potential collusion between corrupt officers and those engaging in bribery. The incident represents a direct challenge to the authority of the ZACC and undermines the fight against corruption within the police force itself.
The details of the alleged bribery scheme at the roadblock remain under investigation, but the assault on the ZACC investigators suggests a possible attempt to obstruct justice and cover up corrupt activities. The assault itself represents a significant escalation of the challenges faced by those working to combat corruption in Zimbabwe.
The incident highlights a worrying trend of resistance to anti-corruption initiatives within the country. The actions of Makina and Gava are a serious blow to efforts to curb corruption within the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The ZACC investigation into the alleged bribery is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
The ZACC’s operation at the roadblock was part of a wider effort to tackle corruption within the ZRP. The investigators were carrying out their duties when they were assaulted, highlighting the risks faced by those working to expose and combat corruption. The seizure of the declaration book was a crucial step in gathering evidence, and the officers’ actions directly interfered with this process.
The case against Makina and Gava is a significant one, not only because of the assault itself but also because it exposes potential weaknesses in the fight against corruption within the police force. The fact that the officers were on duty at the time of the incident raises further questions about the extent of corruption within the ZRP.
