Senior officers warn Chihuri

In separate telephone interviews with The Zimbabwean, the senior officers in command of various police structures expressed concern over the way Chihuri had continued to sacrifice ZRP values on the altar of political gain.

Chihuri, who holds the record for having the most term extensions, has continued to force his partisan political will down the throats of his subordinates and has on numerous occasions publicly campaigned for Zanu (PF).

Macho-attitude

The senior officers based at various provincial police headquarters told The Zimbabwean that Chihuri’s “macho-attitude” would seriously affect the ZRP.

“We see the double standards; Chihuri threatens us against supporting opposition political formations but brags about his political affiliation to Zanu (PF). This macho-attitude and his recent promotion of known Zanu (PF) members within the force will soon create conflict in the organisation,” said a Senior Assistant Commissioner.

Of great concern among the senior officers is the recent promotion of Oliver Mandipaka, said to be an aspiring Zanu (PF) parliamentary candidate for Buhera East, from the rank of Chief Superintendent to Assistant Commissioner.

Another political aspirant within the ZRP is Harare-based Chief Superintendent Jeremiah Chiwetu, who is said to have remained close to Chihuri and could stand for political office in Marondera. “The most worrying fact is that these two are well-known within the force.

Mandipaka is a public figure and national police spokesman, the same man who is supposed to be campaigning for peace within the communities and giving information to the public on crime statistics,” said another Senior Assistant Commissioner.

PISI spy wing

Chiwetu has headed the notorious Police Internal Security Investigations, which serves as Chihuri’s spy wing to sniff out suspected MDC supporters within the ZRP.

“Chihuri’s double-standards have torn the ZRP apart and that will ultimately lead to serious clashes. There are more officers who hate Zanu (PF) than those who love it. If this is not urgently addressed, clashes within the ZRP will soon be uncontrollable. Our worry is that this could soon spiral out of control,” said another senior officer.

Suspended not promoted

Instead of being rewarded with a top post, Mandipaka should have been charged under the Police Act, according to an Assistant Commissioner from the Police General Headquarters.

“Oliver Mandipaka and Chiwetu must be charged for contravening Section 47 of the Police Act Chapter 11.10, which prohibits police officers from actively participating in politics and being affiliated to a political party before resignation. He should have been suspended, not promoted,” said the Assistant Commissioner.

Chihuri late last year told senior police officers that those who wanted to participate in opposition politics should leave the ZRP. He has in the past unfairly dismissed hundreds of junior members and pushed senior officers to quit by placing them in the ‘Commissioner’s Pool’, where they are stripped of their police vehicles and other benefits.

Examples of senior officers treated that way are former Harare Province police chief, Senior Assistant Commissioner Emmanuel Chimwanda, who quit in 2001; Assistant Commissioner Martin Simbi, who followed him two years later and Assistant Commissioner Solomon Ncube. The trio had arrested Zanu (PF) supporters for political violence.

Corruption confirmed

A Civil Society Organisaion, Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa, recently released a report confirming that a corrupt relationship existed between the police and Zanu (PF) politicians, which affected the upholding of the rule of law in the country. The report was titled, “Zimbabwe: When Security Agents are Abused by Politicians for Personal Benefit: Perceptions on the Conduct of the Zimbabwe Republic Police against Zimbabwean Civil Society Organisations and Human Rights Defenders”.

“The seemingly corrupt relationship between the ZRP and politicians from Zanu (PF) should be investigated and all individuals implicated should be punished in line with Zimbabwean anti-corruption laws and policies,” it recommended.