8 ZRP Officers Nabbed for Armed Robbery and Extortion

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is under intense scrutiny following the arrest of eight officers in two unrelated corruption and criminal cases that have raised serious questions about professionalism within the force.

In the first incident, three detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Chivhu Conscious Nhumbwa, Wellington Muchanyerei and Solister Mutande appeared in court facing accusations of orchestrating a months-long campaign of intimidation and extortion against a local businessman, Learnmore Gwata.

According to the State, the trio allegedly abused their positions between January and August 2025, targeting Gwata on several occasions and demanding money under threats of arrest.

Prosecutor Mike Choto outlined the allegations, saying the first confrontation took place on January 7, 2025, when the detectives allegedly drove to Gwata’s rural home in Desve Village armed with a pistol. Mutande is accused of pointing the weapon at Gwata while falsely accusing him of stealing tiles from Dinson Iron and Steel Company a case that reportedly did not exist.

The officers allegedly forced Gwata into their vehicle, demanded US$1 000, and later handcuffed him and placed him in the car boot when he said he only had US$500 at his Chivhu home. He eventually surrendered the money out of fear.

The pattern reportedly continued in May 2025, when the detectives allegedly intercepted Gwata as he arrived home with fuel. After searching his vehicle, they allegedly demanded US$500 to let him go, and he ended up paying them US$300.

A third episode is said to have occurred in August 2025, when the officers allegedly stopped Gwata along the Harare–Masvingo Highway. After another search that turned up diesel, they allegedly escorted him to his house, where he gave them US$200. In an unusual twist, the officers allegedly returned US$80 as a “loan,” which Gwata later paid back.

In a separate case, five traffic officers stationed in Marondera were arrested last week following a coordinated sting operation involving police internal investigators and the Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO).

The officers Sergeant Mugutso and Constables Dzomba, Chabhanga, Rusinga and Madondo are accused of extorting US$540 from motorist Craig Nyandoro during a routine roadblock.