THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has transferred over 2 000 traffic police officers to different posts amid revelations that it is on a crusade to weed out corrupt elements. NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER
Informed sources told Southern Eye that all traffic police officers were moving to stations across the country — some to rural areas.
According to a directive contained in a police radio communication (Compol HR JC 256 dated 5/5/14) from the ZRP chief of staff Human Resources, Senior Assistant Commissioner, Justice Chengeta ordered the transfers that began yesterday.
The transfers affect all traffic police officers from the lowest ranking officer to the most senior member in the ZRP traffic section.
The transfers would see traffic cops working from Plumtree, transferred to as far as Mt Darwin, Chirundu, Victoria Falls and Mutare among other locations.
Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the development yesterday.
“There is nothing unusual about the transfers. It’s an organisation policy to transfer officers from time to time,” she said, but refused to elaborate.
Last month Southern Eye revealed that ZRP had transferred all police officers based at airports and border posts in another attempt to fight corruption believed to be now deep-rooted in the force.
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However, just like the previous transfers, the latest shake-up has been met with murmurs of disapproval.
“I was not anticipating to be transferred from Bulawayo to Masvingo,” a Bulawayo-based traffic cop said.
He said the transfer would not only hit his pockets, but would also disrupt children’s education since it happened a few days before the start of the second term.
According to a research study by the Transparency International Zimbabwe in July last year, police officers are among the most corrupt law enforcement workers in the country.
Recently, traffic police were accused of causing accidents by chasing public transport vehicles in crowded central business districts as they sought bribes.
Police have also come under fire for using spikes to deflate tyres of kombis that try to evade their roadblocks where they openly demand bribes.
Last month, 16 passengers in Bulawayo were left nursing serious injuries after traffic cops threw spikes at a kombi forcing it to overturn.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights last week lambasted the police tactics saying they endangered people’s lives.
