It was reported that the Zimbabwe Republic Police Women’s Network, Midlands Chapter, had purchased two vehicles that were illegally transporting passengers on the City-Senga route. The route is deemed lucrative due to the Midlands State University, which has an enrolment of around 10,000 students.
The two vehicles, Nissan March model, registration numbers ACH 4971 and ACH 4954, were being operated by a female police officer identified as Constable Mboroma from Mtapa Police Station and Constable Enerst Muzembi of Gweru Central Police Station respectively. The two are still on the government payroll despite not being on official duty.
Following publication of the story, posters have been pasted in numerous public places urging members of the public to contact Acting Officer commanding Midlands Province, Assistant Commissioner Learn Ncube, on any suspected case of corruption on the city roads by members of the force.
According to sources, it was Commissioner Nonkosi Ncube, the ZRPWN national chairperson, who issued a directive banning the activities with immediate effect.
“Commissioner Ncube was very angry on that matter because she is the one who had officially unveiled the two vehicles in December, having been made to believe that they would be used at a driving school. She was shocked to hear that the vehicles were operating in the transport business without the required licenses,” said the source.
Other sources said exposure of the illegal activities was deemed a threat to the jobs of the police top brass.
“President Robert Mugabe openly castigated corrupt police officers at the Zanu (PF) conference held in the city barely a month ago. So heads were likely to roll if the activities continued because the article was also obtained by members of his office,” said another source.
Commuter omnibus operators who spoke to The Zimbabwean were upbeat, saying the development brought hope for a better nation if the media started influencing positive change in society by exposing corruption.
Contacted for comment, provincial police spokesman, Inspector Lenard Chabata, was said to be on leave.
Post published in: News