HARARE Public confidence in the police has hit an all-time low as members of the force continue to display a partisan approach to its Constitutional mandate.
So serious is the negative attitude that it makes police work impossible in a democratic society.
As a result, most human rights abuses go unreported, says the MDC. Many people have been arrested after going to the police to report victimisation and intimidation at the hands of Zanu (PF) hooligans.
The victims have been jailed but no convictions have ever been recorded.
A recent survey identified the police as the most corrupt public officials in the
country. MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai and officials in his office were listed as
clean while President Robert Mugabes office and employees, together with MPs, judges, magistrates and traditional leaders were found to be corrupt.
The survey was carried out in October last year and the results released this week by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) on behalf of Afro Barometer. The survey reveals that 42 percent of Zimbabweans agreed that most police officers were corrupt.
In second position were government officials, while 30 percent mentioned Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials.
More than half of those interviewed (56%) said the inclusive government should continue because it was performing well.
Another survey will be held next month to find out if Zimbabweans are ready for elections this year.
Conduction of the survey had to be abandoned in Shamva, Mashonaland Central province after the researchers encountered hostilities from Zanu (PF) mobs.
Post published in: News