A Police Detective Assistant Inspector and Member in Charge of Administration at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID ) in Masvingo was apprehended for allegedly requesting US$500 bribe from a Mberengwa businessman.
Pedias Chinenere (48) purportedly approached the complainant, Azael Hwingwiri, at Bherera Mine, Mberengwa. He asserted that the Commissioner General of Police, Godwin Matanga, was visiting the province and they were collecting donations for his visit.
Hwingwiri handed over US$500 to the detective.
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On March 24, Hwingwiri received a call from Memory Phiri, instructing him to give an additional US$200 to the same detective, as part of the same donation.
Hwingwiri then informed the mine director, identified only as Moyo, who suggested meeting at CBZ Masvingo to deliver the money. When they met in Masvingo, they contacted Chinenere, who claimed he had already left for Gweru.
Subsequently, they reported the incident to CID Midlands Headquarters, which then devised a plan to catch Chinenere.
Chinenere, driving an unregistered white Nissan AD van, was caught with the marked money at Midlands Hotel. The money was found in his trousers, leading to his immediate arrest.
Chinenere is facing charges of criminal abuse of duty and is scheduled to appear in court soon.
