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Rusape Mag Court. Pic by Shingirai Vambe

Rusape Prosecutor Nabbed In Bribery Sting

Post Reporter

The Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a public prosecutor from Rusape Magistrate Court, Takunda Muzenda, for allegedly demanding US$150.00 bribe from a suspect to secure her acquittal.

ZACC spokesperson, Msimiso Mlevu shared a communique with this publication stating that, allegations are that on 29 January 2025, Muzenda approached Rumbidzai Sananga soliciting for a bribe. Sananga had just appeared before Magistrate, Barbra Mateko on charge of unlawfully cultivating dagga.

“A report was made to ZACC resulting in a sting operation. On January 30, ZACC officers accompanied Sananga to Muzenda’s office under the guise of delivering the bribe. However, Muzenda abruptly refused the money after receiving a phone call alerting him about the trap,” said Mlevu.

She told the Post on Sunday Newspaper that from the facts at hand, show no indications that Muzenda was working in cahoots with a magistrate. However, further investigation are ongoing. As indicated earlier, Muzenda was warned by some individuals within the justice system

Investigations revealed that fellow a prosecutor, Marlon Makamba had warned Muzenda. Makamba also indicated that he had been tipped off by Gladman Gabaza, a Rusape court clerk, who learnt of the operation from Sananga’s sister, Chenai Kundidzo.

Kundidzo confessed to have inadvertently revealed the plan to Gabaza during a conversation.

Muzenda is expected to appear in court soon.

Cases of corruption and bribery continue to surface with the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs pushing to promulgate a Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act.

In Zimbabwe, corruption and bribery are significant challenges facing the justice delivery system. Transparency International Zimbabwe has reported cases of bribery and corruption in the courts, with some officials demanding bribes to influence the outcome of cases. The organization has also noted that the police are often reluctant to investigate corruption cases, and when they do, the cases are often delayed or dismissed.