3 cops arrested over mbanje
A major drug-trafficking scandal has rocked the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) after three serving police officers were on Thursday arraigned before the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly receiving a consignment of 11 kilograms of dagga smuggled from South Africa.
The officers — Frank Taona Shumba (34), Mgcini Mpofu (34) and Njabulo Sibanda (36) — appeared in court alongside two civilian accomplices, Nomsa Magutshwa (34) and Mgadi Dhlamini, facing charges of unlawful possession of dagga.
They were remanded out of custody to December 9.
Presenting the case, prosecutor Mr Jethro Mada narrated how the syndicate was uncovered.
On May 19, 2025, at around 4AM, a green Toyota Hiace driven by Amos Moyo (42) of Lobengula West arrived at Beitbridge Border Post from South Africa and parked in the search bay for routine clearance.
Zimra officials carried out a physical search, leading to the discovery of a blue padded stool stuffed with 23 wrapped cobs of marijuana, weighing approximately 11 kilograms and valued at US$1 100.
A seizure form was issued to Moyo, who immediately distanced himself from the haul — instead pointing to his colleague, Thaboluhle, as the person responsible for the parcel.
Detectives interviewed Thaboluhle, who claimed the drugs had been handed to him in South Africa by a man known only as Mbonisi, with instructions to deliver them to an unidentified recipient in Bulawayo.
A controlled delivery operation was swiftly organised by CID Drugs and Narcotics Beitbridge. Officers escorted the vehicle to Bulawayo in a bid to expose the final receiver of the contraband.
Upon arrival in the city, detectives teamed up with their Bulawayo counterparts and devised a sting operation.
At around 9PM, officers lured first accused Mgadi Dhlamini to Old Luveve, where he was told to collect “his parcel.”
When he arrived to pick up the drugs, he was accompanied by the three alleged police accomplices — Shumba, Mpofu, and Sibanda.
The officers were immediately arrested after taking possession of the contraband.
Dhlamini then implicated Nomsa Magutshwa as the intended final recipient.
All five were taken to CID Drugs and Narcotics for further investigation.
Mr Mada told the court that the recovered dagga was taken to Bulawayo Zimpost Office, where it was weighed in the presence of Dhlamini and confirmed to be 11kg, with a street value of US$1 100.
The case has sent shockwaves through the police service, with the arrests expected to trigger internal disciplinary measures alongside the criminal proceedings.
More updates to follow as details emerge. *_-ZimEye_*
