Two traffic police officers in Beitbridge are currently evading authorities after being accused of altering records and embezzling funds from their workplace.

An internal memo revealed that Tinashe Chatseta and Gift Marange are alleged to have misappropriated a total of US$345 and R3730 by manipulating figures in fine books. Chatseta reportedly embezzled US$205 and R2830, with Marange being responsible for the remainder. The misconduct was brought to light by their supervisor, Clever Barikano, during an audit of Z69J (police fines receipt books) on February 2, 2024.

The memo stated that Inspector Clever Barikano identified discrepancies in twenty-three cases where Chatseta and Marange recorded different figures on the fast and duplicate copies of the Z69J receipts compared to the original copies given to offenders. The officers allegedly underreported fines on the duplicate copies, issuing receipts for trivial offenses at lower amounts while charging the offenders higher fines for more serious offenses, pocketing the difference for personal gain.

For instance, if a fine of US$30 was paid, the original receipt provided to the offender showed the correct amount, but the duplicates were altered to indicate only US$5. This discrepancy allowed the accused officers to retain the excess funds for their own benefit.

Following the discovery of the misconduct, a report was filed at ZRP Beitbridge Urban under case reference numbers ZRP Beitbridge Urban CR 14\/02\/24 and CID BEITBRIDGE DR 13\/02\/24. Efforts are underway to locate and hold the two officers accountable for their actions.