Harare, New Ziana – A team of Harare City Council (HCC) workers was caught red-handed accepting bribes from informal traders in Bluffhill today, allowing them to continue operating in undesignated areas.
A New Ziana news crew came across the eight-member team outside Westgate Mall, where they had accosted a fruit and vegetable vendor who had failed to flee alongside his colleagues.
The workers, clad in blue overalls and travelling in a truck bearing registration number AAE 8553, swarmed around the vendor, who was seen slipping several soiled US dollar notes to one of the officials.
Immediately after the exchange, the team clambered back onto the truck and drove off along Lorrain Drive, before turning at the United States Embassy and speeding towards Madokero.
Along the way, the news crew observed some workers sitting at the back of the moving truck, their legs dangling through the cab door, casually sharing what appeared to be the money collected from vendors.
Upon reaching the end of Bluffhill, the workers stopped again and disembarked, converging on a group of car washers who operate opposite Madokero Creek.
One of the washers was observed handing over a note to the municipal officers. When this reporter confronted the group, the workers reboarded the truck, shielding their faces from the camera before hastily driving away.
Angry car washers at the scene urged the news crew to expose the corrupt officials, claiming the practice was a daily occurrence.
“You know what, I saw these workers along Harare Drive this morning collecting ‘tithes’ from poor street vendors. This has gone on for too long. Please expose them. I am willing to appear as a witness in this matter,” said a visibly frustrated car wash business owner.
New Ziana
