Drama as police officer is arrested for bribery
A PLUMTREE-BASED police officer has been arrested for resisting arrest after his superior tried to apprehend him for allegedly soliciting money from motorists at the Plumtree Border Post.
Constable Elvis Mpofu allegedly became rowdy and fled after Bulilima Mangwe Officer-in-Charge Operations, Superintendent Kennedy Chiriga confronted him and ordered him to account for the money. Mpofu was later apprehended.
He is set to appear in court by way of summons on 6 June facing charges of disorderly conduct in a public place.
According to the State papers, Mpofu was working from the Plumtree Border Post on 5 May together with two other officers when a report was made that he was collecting excess money from motorists and not receipting it.
“On 5 May around 11pm Supt Chiriga received information that there was a police officer who was collecting money from motorists at the Plumtree Border Post entrance gate and pocketing it. Acting on the information Supt Chiriga proceeded to the border in a Police Ford Ranger which was being driven by a police driver Constable Ashton Govo.
“Upon arrival Supt Chiriga told Mpofu and his two workmates to surrender the money they had collected and account for it. Others did but Mpofu refused. Supt Chiriga went on to search Mpofu and found $122, P50 and R20 contrary to $12,70 that he had entered in the declaration book”.
State papers further said Supt Chiriga escorted Mpofu to the car so that he could take him to the police station for disciplinary action. Upon reaching the Plumtree Border Post search bay he left Mpofu in the car under the watch of Cst Govo as he wanted to search a bus that was suspected to be carrying smuggled goods.
“Mpofu took advantage to escape from the car but Supt Chiriga fired warning shots in the air which forced Mpofu to stop.
Supt Chiriga led Mpofu back into the car but he became violent and refused to get inside which attracted the attention of travellers.
“Supt Chiriga further tried to force Mpofu into the car but he resisted until he fled from the scene and disappeared into the darkness but was later arrested.”