Municipal Officers in Court for Abuse of Office

Knowledge Muneri

Three Harare municipal police officers were arraigned before the Harare Magistrates' Courts yesterday, facing charges of criminal abuse of office, criminal negligence causing malicious damage to property, and theft. Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai remanded the trio—Nelson Magaya (36), Munyaradzi Matanga (32), and Salome Chapotoka (23)—in custody until today, pending a bail ruling.

Prosecutor Nomsa Kangara told the court that on September 16 this year, Henward Marova, a ZRP officer, was driving his vehicle towards Highlands when it ran out of fuel. He pulled over at a premise along Herbert Chitepo Road and crossed the road while waiting for assistance from a colleague he had contacted.

Kangara alleged that Magaya arrived at the scene driving a Harare Municipal Police vehicle marked Harare Traffic. The municipal officers disembarked, went to Marova's vehicle, and informed him that he had parked in an undesignated place. The court heard that Marova explained his problem to the officers, identifying himself and stating he was waiting for assistance.

The accused allegedly demanded a $25 bribe, threatening to tow Marova's vehicle if he failed to comply. Marova told them he had $10, but Magaya insisted he should increase the amount to $20 since it was payday. A misunderstanding ensued, and Magaya instructed his colleagues to clamp Marova's vehicle. Chapotoka allegedly occupied the driver's seat, intending to drive the vehicle, but it failed to move since it had run out of fuel.

It is alleged that the municipal officers barred Marova from accessing his belongings in the vehicle or closing the windows, saying they were in control. The trio reportedly received some money without issuing Marova a ticket for the alleged offense.

Regarding the theft charges, Marova's vehicle was moved to the municipality's central stores, where Marova later paid a fine. However, when he went to collect his vehicle, he discovered that $530, a workmate's laptop, car keys, two power packs, and groceries worth $135 were missing. After asking about his missing items, Marova was reportedly told that it was not the trio's duty to safeguard them. Nothing was recovered.