Anti-Corruption Officers Arrested for Corruption
Two ZACC officials arraigned before the Plumtree Magistrate's Court for extortion and unlawful detention at Mphoengs Border Post. NPAZ maintains that no one is above the law.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Plumtree - Two officials from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) appeared before the Plumtree Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, February 24, following their arrest for allegedly attempting to extort a customs officer at the Mphoengs Border Post.
Brian Munyaradzi Kombora (32) and Terrence Manatse (34) are facing criminal abuse of duty as public officers and unlawful detention.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) alleges that the incident occurred on the evening of February 17, when Kombora entered the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) offices while off-duty.
Prosecution papers say Kombora approached a 39-year-old ZIMRA supervisor, identified himself as a ZACC agent, and placed her under arrest for an unspecified offense.
Authorities state that Kombora immediately handcuffed the supervisor and demanded a cash payment in exchange for her release.
When the official informed him that there was no money in the office, Kombora reportedly escorted the handcuffed woman into a separate room where two of her colleagues were present.
"The first accused person allegedly locked the door from the inside and kept the keys, ordering the three women to comply with his instructions while threatening their employment," the NPAZ said.
The standoff ended after a security guard grew suspicious of the activity within the office and alerted other security personnel.
The security team eventually forced entry into the room from the outside and apprehended Kombora.
Manatse, who had allegedly remained outside during the encounter, was arrested shortly after when he approached the security team to negotiate his colleague's release.
"Public office is a position of trust. Where that trust is allegedly abused, the law will take its course without fear or favour," the NPAZ said.
The court granted both men US$100 bail each.
The NPAZ said the authority is commitment to institutional integrity, noting that accountability applies to all individuals regardless of their professional affiliation.
"The NPAZ reiterates that safeguarding institutional integrity remains central to its mandate of combating crime and corruption," the authority added.
The case has been remanded for further proceedings as investigators continue to look into the breach of protocol at the border facility.
