Plumtree Detective Caught in US$1,000 Extortion Sting

ZACC arrests a Plumtree detective in a US$1,000 extortion sting after he allegedly demanded bribes to halt prosecution (image source)

SHURUGWI — The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Detective Constable Collen Mwoyo, a police officer from the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Plumtree, after a sting operation in Bulawayo exposed an alleged US$1,000 extortion scheme targeting a local project manager.

According to ZACC, Mwoyo was detained at Bellevue Shopping Centre, where undercover officers trapped him as he attempted to collect an outstanding bribe. He was arrested moments after accepting US$120 from the complainant, Mr Andrew Munemo, a project manager at Posse Solutions (Private) Limited. The incident followed Mwoyo’s earlier detention of Munemo on September 23, 2025, over a purported robbery case.

ZACC’s report indicates that the detective allegedly demanded payment to halt prosecution, with the complainant having already paid US$500 and US$200 in earlier instalments. After continued pressure, Munemo alerted ZACC, which arranged the sting that led to Mwoyo’s capture.

ZACC Commissioner Kindness Paradza confirmed the arrest, describing it as part of broader efforts to tackle abuse of office within the police service. Eyewitnesses at the shopping centre said ZACC operatives closely monitored the meeting before moving in when the officer accepted the cash.

Anti-corruption experts say the case reflects ongoing integrity challenges in law enforcement, stressing that covert operations and transparent prosecutions are crucial to restoring public trust. They warn, however, that while such arrests demonstrate accountability, they also expose systemic weaknesses in oversight, reporting, and disciplinary mechanisms within the police.

Detective Constable Mwoyo is expected to appear in court on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, facing extortion charges. ZACC reiterated its resolve to pursue corruption cases across sectors, pledging continued investigations and prosecutions to strengthen the rule of law.