Cops fired for Tsvangirai links

Politics
THREE police officers who were detained for allegedly attending an MDC-T rally held at Mushumbi business centre in Kariba in April have been discharged

THREE police officers who were detained for allegedly attending an MDC-T rally held at Mushumbi business centre in Kariba in April have been discharged from the police force.

Report by Feluna Nleya

Tarisai Mutangi, a lawyer representing the police officers, confirmed his clients had been dismissed after disciplinary hearings.

The three — Courage Manyengavana, Marshal Zindoga and Justice Mhishi — were tried and convicted for contravening the Police Act after being accused of acting in a manner which brought “disrespect” to the police force.

“I understand they were asked to attend board hearings separately and after they had returned to their stations. They received communication that they had been discharged from the force.”

The three had earlier served a 14-day sentence in detention at Chikurubi Support Unit Camp.

Manyengavana and Zindoga were stationed at Mushumbi Police Station and Kanyemba Police Station in Mashonaland Central respectively.

Mhishi, who was stationed at Chatsworth, was accused of showing support for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai after he was allegedly heard uttering the words Save vapinda which translates to Tsvangirai has won.

The officers denied the allegations saying they were at Mushumbi business centre where the MDC-T rally was taking place, but said they were not part of it.

Efforts to obtain official police comment yesterday were fruitless.