110. I hate it when people ask me for a bribe

Today while walking home from getting a haircut my friend and I were stopped about 50m from where I live by a police officer.

When I say “stopped” he basically shouted at me from inside the bajaj (similar to a tuk tuk) he was relaxing in. My friend was on the other side of the bajaj receiving similar treatment from another police officer.

No introduction, no friendliness. Couldn’t even be bothered to look up at me properly or sit up.

He asked me my name and where I worked. I responded politely. Then he asked to see my work permit. I didn’t have it on me.

He said it was an offence not to carry it (I need to confirm this fact). I said ok. He said give me TZS20,000 (about USD10). I said no.

This went on a few times, even the driver of the bajaj tried to tell me that I should do “legal things”. I didn’t point out to him that asking for a bribe was not legal.

Now let me explain here. If not carrying my permit with me is an offence then I will happily pay any fine due. I even told the officer to take me to the station.

As my house was nearby I was planning to call my housemate to bring my work permit to us.

Instead my friend paid the officers TZS10,000 (about USD5) and they let us go. I wasn’t very happy that my friend paid and I told them.

I understand that police officers here struggle to make a living, but so do many people. The only difference is that the police officer has a position of power and they use that to extort people.

What I didn’t like was their brazen and nonchalant abuse of power. I’ve been here nearly 10 months now and fortunately this is the first time it has happened.

Sadly a rotten few have ruined the reputation of the hard working majority.