Police officers receiving bribes from defectors of the lockdown

Some corrupt police officers were caught red-handed on camera receiving a bribe from a commuter omnibus crew violating the 21-day national lockdown on Monday. President Emmerson Mnangagwa last Friday announced a national lockdown as a necessary measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus which has already infected seven and killed one.

In a video circulating on social media, some unscrupulous police officers were seen receiving a bribe from a public transport operator who was caught violating the government order. Although the president banned public transport operations during the lockdown, some defiant operators were caught on the wrong side of the law.

Surprisingly, some police officers were caught capitalising on the situation and soliciting for bribes from those violating the order. In the video that has since sparked outrage on social media, a public transport operator is momentarily stopped by the police before being released after paying a bribe.

The police officer can be visibly seen taking one of the crew members on the side to negotiate the transgressor’s release. The combi operator then pulls out a huge chunk of money which he counts in front of the officer. He then proceeds to hand the officer some money which he then quickly puts in his pocket.

While announcing the lockdown last week, the president issued that public transport operations would be suspended with only ZUPCO and Public Service Commission buses allowed to ferry passengers into the city. He also added that private vehicles will be limited to only two people, the driver and one passenger.