By A Correspondent- A Chitungwiza policeman has been shamed for demanding a US$100 bribe before returning it to a businessman after being reported to his superiors.

Assistant Inspector Archford Gerald Muguta allegedly demanded US$100 from a businessman who operates bottle stores and restaurants and he was given the money before a complaint was lodged, leading to his shaming.

Officer Commanding Chitungwiza District Chief Superintendent Severino Muguti acknowledged that the issue had been brought to his attention and they were making investigations.

“Once an issue is brought up, we conduct investigations and if the officer is found wanting, he is charged,” said Chief Supt Muguti adding that any other communication is channelled through the police public relations department.

Muguta told H-Metro that it was an old case and that he had returned the money after a complaint was lodged.

“Zvakatopera. The money was returned, it is an old issue.

“Let me come there and explain what happened,” he said.

Called later to explain more on the issue, Muguta attacked this journalist before hanging up the phone.

There is a recorded phone call where the caller believed to be Muguta was trying to sweet-talk the businessman.

“Mukanya (businessman) ko wondipisireiko iwe? Ndafonerwa manje manje neH-Metro zvichinzi ndakatora mari ndikaidzosera,” said Muguta.

He told Mukanya that he had told H-Metro in a phone call that the video he appears in while taking the money was fake.

“Mari iya ndakaipihwirwa pacharge office and there was no one recording the video ndizvo zvandamuudza.

“Ndamuudza kuti mavideo enyu amunawo ndeekubikira. Ndamuudza kuti nyaya yacho ndeya kare,” he said.

Mukanya said he was shocked with Muguta’s bribe demand which he then gave him, but not before lodging a complaint with the latter’s superiors.

“It irked me that a person could just come and demand money just like that.

“What wrong did I do?

“I told his superiors and the money was returned,” said Mukanya.

-HMetro