Online Reporter
LAST YEAR in November, the Zimbabwe Republic Police detained two officers after a secretly recorded video exposed them taking bribes from public transport vehicles near the Mabvuku turn-off along Harare-Mutare Road.
The video went viral on various social media platforms.
The two officers arrested were named as Sergeant Chifamba and Constable Gunzva, who faced both disciplinary and criminal charges. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi described the two cops as bad apples who do not deserve to be serving in the Police Service.
Nyathi emphasised that they do not tolerate corruption from within their ranks.
The video triggered widespread accusations against ZRP with some social media commentators even suggesting that the two cops were just unfortunate to be arrested as it is now common practice within the force.
And even when Nyathi insisted that the Commissioner-General of Police is committed to upholding the law without fear or favour and emphasising that corruption will not be tolerated within the police force, part of the social media public was unimpressed.
This week, two police officers, who went viral in a video receiving bribes from illegal money changers last week, appeared in court charged with criminal abuse of duty.
The duo Rudo Chirengendure and Michael Nyasha Mupandira were not asked to plead when they appeared before regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
It was another example that ZRP takes action against its members once there is concrete evidence that they are involved in corruption.
The recent move by the ZRP to arrest and bring to court police officers who were caught on camera accepting bribes from handcuffed suspects is a bold and commendable step in the right direction.
At a time when public trust in law enforcement has been steadily eroded by widespread allegations of corruption and abuse of power, this decisive action sends a strong and reassuring message — that no one is above the law, not even those who are sworn to uphold it.
For too long, the ZRP has faced criticism from citizens who feel that the badge has become a shield for misconduct rather than a symbol of justice and protection.
The decision to hold errant officers accountable, especially in such a public and transparent manner, sends positive messages to society.
Citizens are being assured that action will be taken once they prove incidents of corruption as has been the case with the viral videos. Faced with overwhelming criticism and ridicule, this act of internal accountability not only punishes wrongdoing but also restores some measure of faith in the institution.
It assures the public that the ZRP is willing to clean its own house, that professionalism and ethics are still values worth upholding.
We therefore urge the ZRP leadership to make this the standard, not the exception. Systemic reforms, continuous training, and a clear zero-tolerance policy on corruption must be sustained.
Society is ready to help the ZRP cleanse itself and it is occasions like these that instils confidence in the public and they will more likely co-operate with authorities and help expose bad apples within ZRP.
