dyton mupawaendaYESTERDAY, our front page story was a disturbing one.
It was about some police officers who are using mushikashika for transport even though the operations of these pirate taxis are illegal.
The police appeal to the members of the public is that we should never use mushikashika because doing so will be putting ourselves at risk.
Our concern is that if the police feel the public should not use mushikashikas, why then are some police officers, who should be arresting the drivers of these vehicles given they are part of a criminal enterprise, using the same means of transport?
Why are some police officers falling victims to the same crimes, which they say could befall the public, should they use mushishikas?
We reported that on Tuesday, a traffic cop fell into the same trap by boarding a mushikashika where he was robbed of US$530.
Linos Chigonera, 39, who is attached to Harare Central Business District traffic section, boarded a white Honda Fit, which had no registration plates.
Linos lost over US$530, which was in his wallet, and one M-Horse Smart cellphone and Marshal handed over US$1 and two cellphones – a Samsung Note 10 and G-Tel cellphone.
Earlier this week, a 42-year-old police officer lost his service identity cards and cash after boarding a mushikashika in Harare.
Assistant Inspector Dickson Mashada boarded a mushikashika which had two female passengers and a male passenger from the Harare CBD to Newlands.
He lost US$420 on his way to Mukushi Depot.
So, the biggest question for us is why are some of our police officers using mushikashika on one hand, and ending up being robbed, while on the other end they are telling members of the public not to do so?
The police cannot send one message and behave exactly the opposite. Why would our police officers believe that the members of the public will follow their wise counsel if they are the ones doing the opposite and using mushikashika?
We feel that the police officers who are doing that are destroying their important message which can save the lives of members of the public.
The police should always lead by example.
They are the face of our protection and safety and once they go off the rails then we are also likely to lose our way. These reports showing that some police officers were robbed by these mushikashika criminals will embolden these thieves. They will be telling themselves that if they can hit the police officers then it means that we, the members of the public, are just fair game.
Hopefully, the leaders of our police force will intervene and ensure they stop this madness where police officers under their command are working to destroy their message to the public.
The sooner that they do it the better because these junior officers are just promoting lawlessness.
Online Reporter