Police must act on Chipangano, now

It is high time the Zimbabwe Republic Police dealt decisively with the Mbare-based Chipangano militia that for years has been terrorising residents of Harare with impunity.

Paul Bogaert
Paul Bogaert

Everyone now knows that the notorious group, comprising unemployed and perhaps unemployable vagabonds who will do anything to earn money to buy a cigarette, was formed by Zanu (PF) to terrorise political opponents.

Over the years, the group seems to have gained a mysterious status of immunity. Despite complaints from victims, residents and human rights organisations, the militia still exists and openly carries out its heinous acts – all aimed at further impoverishing the struggling residents who are labouring to earn an honest income.

The militia’s campaigns are obviously criminal. It beats up innocent citizens, chases way bona fide businesspeople from their premises and extorts money from struggling civilians. The group has also been fingered in murder cases that are politically motivated.

The police are clearly aware of Chipangano’s activities. Its members’ pictures have appeared in the press and they operate virtually on the doorstep of Matapi Police Station. The ZRP’s PISI details definitely know the Chipangano gang members and their leaders and paymasters.

There is no way the police can convince us that they don’t know what or who Chipangano is, or who the political leaders behind the group are.

The police have been very quick to arrest Zanu (PF)’s political opponents suspected of criminal activities. Last year, for instance, they acted extraordinarily quickly to round up suspects – some of whom were able to prove they weren’t even in the vicinity at the time – in the murder of a police officer during disturbances in Glen View 3.

Whenever Zanu (PF) supporters have complained, they have not wasted time to arrest perceived suspects, mostly from the MDC.

It is mindboggling why it takes the police so long to arrest the Chipangano terrorists—for that is what they are—despite the group operating in their backyard. The police should know that, one day, they will be judged for their omissions. Failing to arrest Chipangano members makes them accomplices in crimes against humanity.

Never mind the fact that Chipangano is a political formation, the police has a constitutional duty to discharge its mandate to protect the citizens of this country. Failure to do so makes them as liable as the perpetrators of violence themselves.

On this note, we urge human rights organisations, families and political parties whose relatives or members have suffered at the hands of this infamous group to diligently record ZRP’s derelictions.

They need to document the numerous failures by the police to act on the complaints brought to them, for future reference. We are firmly persuaded that, one day, the long arm of justice will catch up with them.

Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga
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