Harare, (New Ziana) – Police on Wednesday dismissed social media reports that a gang of criminals masquerading as soldiers, police and intelligence officers had been arrested following a spate of extortion cases from motorists.

The gang, reportedly driving around in a black Toyota Wish vehicle in Harare, was extorting money from motorists to be spared arrest for minor traffic offences. A number of motorists have reportedly fallen victim to the gang.

In an interview with New Ziana, national police spokesman, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, denied arrests had been made in connection with the case, and implored the public to refrain from making false claims relating to security matters.

“Whenever we make arrests of that nature we communicate through our official communication channels not through social media platforms. As far as I am concerned, there are no such arrests,” he said. On Monday, Nyathi said the police was still hunting for the suspects.

But social media is awash with images of three handcuffed men, one in full police uniform, alleged to be members of the gang. The criminal syndicate targets motorists at traffic light controlled road intersections, and accuse victims of either going through a red robot or impending a state motorcade, before extorting money from them.

New Ziana