HOME Affairs deputy minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has denied reports that the recent transfer of over 2 000 police traffic officers countrywide was a desperate bid to arrest corruption in the force.
Chief Reporter
Ziyambi told Senate last week there were several factors that resulted in the transfers.
He was responding to Matabeleland South Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa who wanted to know if the affected officers underwent ritual cleansing before being moved to rid the police office of the vice.
“My question is directed to the Home Affairs minister. We understand that you have transferred 2 000 corrupt traffic officers from different places. I want to know whether you had first cleansed them through Zinatha (Zimbabwe National Association of Traditional Healers), or whichever way you can cleanse them, or are you comfortable with them tranferring their corrupt tendencies to new stations?” Mlotshwa asked.
Last month it was revealed that over 2 000 traffic police officers were moved to different posts amid revelations that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was on a crusade to weed out corrupt elements.
The transfers affected all police officer levels from the lowest ranking officer to the most senior member in the ZRP traffic section. However, Ziyambi said police officers do not have permanent work stations.
“Our police do not have permanent stations for the duration of their service within the force,” he said.
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“Transfers are done according to needs. If we have a critical skills shortage in one area, we can shift them around and move them.
“However, when you are conducting policing, you do not have to allow one person to be stationed at a particular station for long.
“The reasons for moving staff are varied and no one was transferred because of corruption.”
Several traffic offiers have been arrested at roadblocks after being found soliciting bribes form motorists.
Scores of police officers caught at roadblocks with cash have in the past failed to account for it. Police officers manning roadblocks are not supposed to carry any extra cash except for the money that tallies with fines issued.
