By Naledi Nyoni
HARARE — Three Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers have been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal abuse of office in a case stemming from an anti-corruption operation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Police Anti-Corruption Unit.
In a statement issued on Friday, National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the conviction and sentencing of three police officers who were found guilty of criminal abuse of office following their arrest during an anti-corruption operation conducted by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department Police Anti-Corruption Unit.”
The convicted officers were identified as Constables Prosper Muchangani (36), Shelton Masvande (34) and Mercy Makarimai (37).
According to Nyathi, the officers, who were stationed at ZRP Murewa Traffic and deployed at Chinamhora Base, were arrested on 21 December 2025 after detectives intercepted them at a police roadblock along the Harare–Domboshava Road.
Nyathi said the officers “were found in possession of USD975.00” during the operation.
Police investigations subsequently established “that no traffic fines had been officially receipted, the officers had not declared the money found in their possession before commencing duty and there was no record of their deployment in the official deployment register.”
The matter was heard before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, where the three officers were convicted and, on 24 June 2026, each sentenced to five years in prison.
Reaffirming the police service’s stance against corruption, Nyathi appealed for continued public cooperation.
“The public is urged to continue reporting any incidents of corruption, bribery and other forms of criminal conduct involving police officers and other individuals in communities,” Nyathi said.
He added that “the organization will continue taking decisive action against any officer who engages in corrupt or criminal activities, regardless of rank or position.”
The convictions come as the Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to intensify internal anti-corruption measures aimed at promoting accountability and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
