Three Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers accused of soliciting a US$40 bribe from a motorist at an illegal roadblock in Harare have been granted bail.
Tendai Arimoni, Webster Mabhugu and Taurai Masere appeared before Magistrate Jesse Kufa on Monday and were each released on US$100 bail. They are facing charges of criminal abuse of office.
The trio had initially been remanded in custody following their first court appearance last Friday.
According to the State, the officers allegedly set up an unsanctioned roadblock along Harare Street on December 31, 2025, targeting motorists driving against a one-way street. Unknown to them, their activities were under surveillance by the Harare Province Anti-Corruption Unit.
Prosecutors allege that the officers stopped a white Mercedes-Benz (registration AFX 9209) driven by Brian Mpofu, who was accompanied by Obey Taruvinga. The officers reportedly told Mpofu he was under arrest and instructed him to drive towards Harare Central Police Station.
Along the way, Arimoni allegedly demanded a US$150 fine but later offered to accept a US$40 bribe to release the motorist. Mpofu is said to have borrowed US$35 from his passenger and added US$5 of his own to meet the demand.
After Mpofu was released, anti-corruption officers intercepted him, recorded his statement and launched investigations. The accused officers allegedly fled the scene but were later tracked down and arrested.
The matter is still before the courts.
