Fidelis Chavarike-Mutare Bureau
A PROSECUTOR allegedly demanded a US$500 bribe from a sangoma, who had been arrested, claiming that US$300 was needed to bribe the magistrate and US$200 was needed to destroy the docket.
Takunda Chinakidzo Muzenda, 30, works for the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe.
He studied at Northwest University in South Africa.
He graduated in 2018 and started working as a legal assistant at Chibaya and Partners from 2021 to 2023.
He moved to the National Prosecuting Authority in 2023 to gain first-hand criminal prosecution and court experience.
He was arrested, together with his workmate Marlon Makamba, 23, in Rusape last week after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) set up a trap.
They are both facing bribery allegations and they have been granted US$300 bail each.
They appeared before Mutare Magistrate Ms Anniah Ndiraya facing charges of criminal abuse of office as defined in Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
They were granted bail on condition they report once every Friday at Rusape Central Police Station, keep residing at their given addresses and not interfere with State witnesses.
Magistrate Ndiraya remanded the matter to July 11 for routine proceedings.
The pair was being represented by Mr Takunda Musara of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners.
Prosecuting was Ms Tawananyasha Muwura.
She told the court that the duo abused their positions of authority by demanding bribes from a local traditional healer, Freddy Dhonsa (40), to derail criminal proceedings against him.
“The accused persons, who are public prosecutors, leveraged their roles within the justice system to extort money from a complainant in exchange for preferential treatment. This conduct compromises the integrity of our courts and justice delivery,” said Ms Muwura.
In a desperate bid to secure his release, Dhonsa’s wife approached a CID officer, Detective Constable Moyo, who allegedly connected them to Makamba.
Makamba allegedly demanded US$250 to convert the matter into a summons case.
Although Dhonsa only managed to pay US$189, via Moyo, the arrangement was facilitated.
Subsequently, Makamba continued to demand various amounts, either in cash or via EcoCash payments from Rindai Mukonya, who is believed to be the manager of Joe’s Place in Rusape.
“The matter intensified on June 17, 2025, when Muzenda allegedly summoned Dhonsa and demanded a US$500 bribe, claiming US$300 was for the magistrate and US$200 for himself to destroy the docket.
“Dhonsa paid the US$300 upfront and later an additional US$100, after which Muzenda falsely assured him there was no longer any need to attend court.
“However, on June 24, 2025, Dhonsa discovered that a warrant of arrest had been issued against him.
“Upon confronting Muzenda in the company of his lawyer, the prosecutor offered no satisfactory explanation and later contacted Dhonsa, promising to refund the money.
“Realising he had been duped, Dhonsa reported the matter to ZACC the same day. A sting operation was quickly put in place. The next day, Dhonsa called Muzenda and informed him he had secured the remaining US$100.
“Muzenda directed him to Joe’s Place, where he arrived with Makamba,” said the State.
ZACC officers, who were monitoring the operation, saw Dhonsa hand over marked US$100 in ten-dollar denominations to Muzenda, while Makamba briefly left the table.
The officers moved in swiftly, arresting Muzenda at the scene and recovering the marked notes.
Makamba was arrested inside the bar.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the judicial system, especially within the National Prosecuting Authority, where both men are employed.
Ms Muwura said such acts not only undermined the public’s trust in the justice system but also tarnished the reputation of honest legal officers.
“These arrests are a clear reminder that no one is above the law, and prosecutors must uphold the highest standards of integrity,” she said
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