Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Police have dismissed a claim by the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) alleging that the organisation worked with the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Internal Investigations Section in a sting operation that led to the arrest of five ZRP officers on corruption charges.
ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said on Monday, 24 November, that the police have no association with SARACO and do not have any form of cooperative arrangement with the organisation. Added Nyathi:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates its previous standing position that anyone claiming to be an Anti-Corruption body should be cleared by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission as duly constituted in terms of the country’s laws.
“For the record, the Zimbabwe Republic Police effected the purported arrest without the involvement of the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation.”
Commissioner Nyathi warned that any private arrangements or associations involving individual officers in activities not sanctioned by the Commissioner General of Police will be dealt with in accordance with the law, without fear or favour.
This comes after SARACO director Paddington Kadzungura claimed that members of his organisation had conducted a sting operation alongside police internal investigators.
The operation allegedly resulted in the arrest of five officers from the ZRP Marondera traffic section last Thursday, after they reportedly demanded US$540 from a motorist.
According to Kadzungura, the officers were manning a roadblock when they stopped the complainant, Craig Nyandoro, accusing him of driving a recently imported vehicle without valid documentation.
Nyandoro is said to have produced the relevant documents, but the officers allegedly insisted on payment.
Kadzungura identified the suspects as Sergeant Mugutso and Constables Dzomba, Chabhanga, Rusinga and Madondo.
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