Bulawayo.
Members of the public who spoke to The Zimbabwean on Monday evening, after failing for the umpteenth time to buy the confiscated perishables, accused the lawmen of sharing the food stuffs among themselves.
“They have not auctioned the vegetables for more than two months, yet they raid vendors at least three times a day, every day. In the past they used to auction the vegetables every evening,” complained Memory Dube of Makokoba at the police’s Licence Inspectorate offices inside Drill Hall, where the public auctions used to be held in the past.
Junior police officers also confirmed that public auctions were no longer being held in the camp because they had been told by Senior Assistant Commissioner Lee Muchemwa, the officer commanding police in Bulawayo province, that they should sell the vegetables among themselves.
“The officer commanding gave directives in June that we should buy the perishables ourselves. They also send their drivers to collect for them everyday before we start buying,” said a junior officer who requested not to be named.
The junior officers added that their bosses were also feasting on other basic commodities like sugar, cooking oil and mealie-meal that they confiscate from parallel market traders.
“The bulk of the non-perishable food stuffs are taken by the bosses themselves. They are kept in the storeroom here and they send their drivers to come and collect them. That is also where they get grocery items for their children who are at boarding school,” said another police source.
When reached for comment, Muchemwa denied the allegations, saying police still held auctions.
“That is rubbish. We hold auctions every day and whoever told you that is a liar. They are pushing their own agenda which is known only to them,” said Muchemwa. – Bayete Zitha
Post published in: News