No Partners in the Shadows: ZRP Disowns SARACO in Roadblock Corruption Saga

ZRP rejects claims by SARACO of a joint sting operation in Marondera, insisting the arrest of five officers for an alleged US$540 bribe was an internal investigation (image source)

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed claims by the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation (SARACO) that it participated in a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of five police officers accused of soliciting a US$540 bribe at a Marondera roadblock.

Clarification by Police:

In a firm statement, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police had no association with SARACO and emphasised that no anti-corruption organisation operates legitimately without formal recognition from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). He reiterated that all investigations into police misconduct are carried out internally or through legally recognised bodies. Nyathi’s message signalled a clear refusal of any unofficial partnerships or external interference in police disciplinary processes.

How the Confusion Began:

The dispute arose after SARACO director Paddington Kadzungura publicly claimed that his team worked alongside ZRP Internal Investigations officers during the alleged sting operation at the Marondera traffic checkpoint. According to Kadzungura, the five officers had unlawfully stopped motorist Craig Nyandoro, dismissed his legitimate vehicle documents, and demanded payment. In SARACO’s version of events, the organisation played a role in exposing the shakedown. The police, however, categorically rejected this account, asserting that their internal team conducted the arrest without any external involvement.

Institutional Tensions and Implications:

Commissioner Nyathi warned police officers against forming unauthorised private arrangements or engaging with outside groups under the guise of anti-corruption work. His remarks pointed to broader institutional concerns about maintaining accountability, legitimacy, and control over corruption investigations within the force. The case has also highlighted longstanding public suspicion surrounding roadblocks, where enforcement duties are frequently overshadowed by allegations of extortion.

Public Trust and Official Authority:

The incident has reopened debate about corruption, policing and the proliferation of non-statutory “anti-corruption” entities. For the state, maintaining clarity about jurisdiction and procedure is essential to safeguarding public trust. According to the ZRP, the arrests were a product of internal oversight, and the narrative of a joint sting belongs entirely to SARACO. With competing accounts already circulating, the police have moved to firmly reassert their version: the operation was theirs alone, and no private organisation was involved.