ZRP Investigates Mabvuku Roadblock Bribery Allegations After Video Goes Viral

By Simba Zimunya

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched an inquiry into a viral video allegedly showing two police officers collecting money from motorists at a roadblock in Harare's Mabvuku area.

The footage, reportedly recorded along Mutare Road near the Mabvuku interchange, has sparked renewed debate over allegations of corruption and the conduct of officers manning traffic checkpoints.

Social media users have identified one of the officers by the nickname 'kaGoat' or 'Kambudzi'. However, police have not confirmed the identities of the officers shown in the video.

Police Investigating Mabvuku Roadblock Footage

In a statement published on Friday, November 13, the ZRP said it was investigating the allegations to establish whether the footage showed a new incident or a case that had previously been handled by police command.

The police said: 'The ZRP has taken note of a video on Crime Watch, alleging bribe-taking by two police officers from ZRP Mubvuku. The ZRP is now conducting inquiry to establish the reality of the incident and to confirm whether the video relates to a new case or a previous case that was already dealt with by the ZRP command.'

No disciplinary action against the officers had been announced in the report. The inquiry is expected to establish when the footage was recorded and what happened.

Bulawayo Driver Accuses Officers of Demanding US$150

The Mabvuku controversy comes amid a separate court case in Bulawayo involving kombi driver Limukani Ndlovu, who is facing two counts of kidnapping and one count of assault.

Ndlovu, 44, of Old Magwegwe, denies the charges. His lawyer, Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Legal Practitioners, told Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mutiro that the officers involved had allegedly demanded US$150 to secure the driver's release after he was stopped for a traffic offence.

According to the defence, the officers entered Ndlovu's Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and directed him to drive to Drill Hall Police Station. His lawyer alleged that the officers began demanding money while they were travelling and continued making the demands after reaching the station.

Madzivire argued that his client did not kidnap or unlawfully detain the officers, but instead refused to comply with what the defence described as an unlawful request for money.

The defence further claimed that Ndlovu became suspicious because the officers were wearing civilian clothes and had not impounded his vehicle or formally processed his arrest.

Prosecution Disputes Driver's Account

The State presented a different version of events.

Prosecutor Owen Mugari told the court that Ndlovu was arrested on February 21 after dropping passengers at an undesignated point in Bulawayo's central business district.

The prosecution alleged that Constables Lydia Runoza and Leonard Kaseke boarded the kombi to escort it to the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) depot over suspicions that it was operating without a valid certificate of fitness.

Instead of driving to the depot, Ndlovu allegedly travelled towards the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, passed Umguza Tollgate and turned onto an unidentified road.

The State alleged that Kaseke jumped from the moving vehicle before Ndlovu stopped, grabbed Runoza by the neck and forced her out. Prosecutors said the officer sustained bruising and was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital.

Ndlovu's lawyer disputed the assault allegations, arguing that the medical evidence did not support the prosecution's account.

The hearing was adjourned to November 16.

Previous Cases Raise Further Questions About Roadblocks

The latest allegations come against the background of other reported cases involving police officers and roadblocks.

In October, four traffic officers appeared in court in Bulawayo facing bribery and criminal abuse of duty charges following an incident at a roadblock along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway near the 397-kilometre peg.

The prosecution alleged that a support-unit team recovered US$237 and P110 which the officers could not account for. Some of the money was reportedly found on one officer, while the remainder was recovered from a satchel hidden in a metal cabin near the checkpoint.

In June, Constable Nosizi Sinyoro was sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting a motorist at a roadblock along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. One year of the sentence was suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. Four other officers charged in that case were acquitted.

ZRP Rejects Claims of Police Pursuit in Harare Collision

Separately, the ZRP recently issued a statement concerning a video of a collision in Harare's central business district.

Social media posts had claimed that a kombi struck a female pedestrian while fleeing from police or municipal officers. Police rejected the pursuit claim, saying investigations found no evidence that the vehicle was being chased.

The ZRP said a speeding Nissan Caravan had struck a 46-year-old woman and that the driver was facing a charge of driving without due care and attention.

Public Scrutiny Grows Over Traffic Enforcement

The Mabvuku video has once again brought allegations of unofficial payments, harassment and delays at roadblocks into public discussion, particularly among kombi drivers and operators of informal transport vehicles.

However, the allegations against the Mabvuku officers remain under investigation, while the claims made by Ndlovu's defence are contested by the prosecution.

The distinction matters: allegations of bribery must be investigated, but accusations against officers or motorists should not be treated as established facts before the relevant evidence has been examined.

The ZRP inquiry in Mabvuku and the continuation of Ndlovu's court case are likely to keep attention on police conduct and accountability during traffic enforcement.