Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a Harare Municipal Police Officer; Priscah Mutereko (44) on allegations of extortion.
In a statement yesterday, ZACC said Mutereko was arrested for demanding US$60 from an unnamed complainant.
“Harare Municipal Police Officer was arrested yesterday for demanding US$60 to open premises belonging to Paguta Trading Pvt Ltd, by making the initial fine of US$290 disappear,” said ZACC.
The accused was the leader of a team which was carrying out Licence Inspection duties. They issued a ticket to Paguta Trading Pvt Ltd for failure to produce a valid council business licence, which carried a fine of US$290 to be paid within seven working days.
Furthermore, ZACC said Mutereko on the 15th of May 2023 returned to Paguta Trading premises where she locked the premises for failure to pay the required fine.
“On the 15th of May 2023, the accused person went back to the complainant’s premises where she locked the premises for failure by complainant to pay the required fine of US$290,” said ZACC.
Mutereko then advised the assistant to the complainant (Paguta Trading Pvt Ltd) to contact her if he needed assistance to get the premises opened. The complainant called Mutereko that evening and proposed the cancellation of the ticket for US$20 payment.
It is alleged that the following morning, the Complainant obliged and left the US$20 with his assistant to give Mutereko. The assistant called the accused and advised her on the availability of the money. In response, Mutereko demanded an additional US$60 to facilitate the reopening of the premises.
“The following morning the complainant handed his Assistant US$20 to give to the accused person. When the Assistant contacted her advising that he had been given US$20, she advised that the amount was too little considering that the ticket issued was for US$290 and she told the Assistant to advise the complainant that she needed US$60 to facilitate the re-opening of the premises,” said ZACC.
According to ZACC, the complainant made a report to the Commission, and a trap was set leading to Mutereko’s arrest on 17 May 2023.
“The complainant then contacted the accused person who advised him that without USD60 she would not open the complainant’s premises. Complainant then made a report to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and a trap authority was applied for and granted leading to the accused’s arrest on 17 May 2023 after receiving USD60 trap money in US$20 denominations.
Mutereko will appear in court today to answer to the allegations of extortions defined in section 134 of the code.
Meanwhile, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led councils are marred with corruption and looting. Mayor for Harare City Council (HCC), Jacob Mafume was previously arrested for illegally and corruptly selling state land in violation of the Urban Council’s Act, in a bid to raise money to sustain that party’s dwindling coffers.
