“We had been promised that every member of the force would get $300, regardless of where they were during the referendum, as has always been done during such assignments,” said a Bulawayo-based officer.
“We were all given the first amount of $150, but then we were told in an internal communication signal that only those who had been deployed at polling stations would be paid the remaining $150. We suspect that the money could have been diverted by the superiors.”
A senior police officer based in the same city confirmed the turn-around, adding that this was because the ZRP had included “too many civilians” in its payroll, creating a wage bill that the money from treasury failed to sustain. “Information submitted to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was that the ZRP would deploy 40,000 members to polling stations and patrol duties, each of whom would be paid $300 for this special duty, but eventually, only two members were deployed at each polling station,” said the Chief Superintendent.
“Some of the money that was supposed to pay junior officers was given to civilian members like the Neighbourhood Watch Committee and Kuyedza members, who were also deployed at polling stations. It is unfortunate that Commissioner General (Augustine) Chihuri decided to buy the loyalty of civilians at the expense of regular members who performed vital duties during the referendum,” he said. The civilian members were allegedly paid $200 each, $50 more than some regular members, amid accusations that Chihuri was trying to buy their loyalty ahead of the elections.
“All the civilian members who were paid were not in the nominal roll sent to the ZEC and that is what has caused all this anger. Force numbers of some regular members were used to draw money that they would eventually not get,” fumed another officer.
Police officers who missed out on the second payment of $150 are said to be those who manned charge offices and road blocks and members of the technical staff.
“The Commissioner General favoured untrained staff at the expense of trained members and we fear that he will repeat this during the forthcoming elections, as he is using civilian personnel to campaign for Zanu (PF),” said the Chief Superintendent.
An internal communication signal sent to all stations by Senior Assistant Commissioner Lee Muchemwa, the “Commander 2013 Referendum” on March 21, titled “Payment of second and final travelling and subsistence allowance for 2013 referendum”, confirmed the shortfall in payments.
“……..the organisation is unable to sustain its initial proposal to pay all members irrespective of where they were deployed,” reads the signal, whose reference number is LDMM 53/13.
“In this context … only members who were deployed at polling points will be paid the second and final payment which will be $150 per head stop Provincial and district commanders are therefore urged to support this command in this development stop” it says.
Post published in: News