adminLeonard Ncube Court Reporter
POLICE have warned members of the force against engaging in corrupt activities and indiscipline saying a new system of instant dismissal has been put in place.
Responding to claims about alleged corruption in Beatrice reported in the media on Wednesday, where a 10-year-old girl stumbled upon about $2,000 hidden by “corrupt” traffic officers at a roadblock in Beatrice, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said indiscipline and corruption have no role in the organisation.
The private media had reported that police officers had hidden the $2 000 loot inside a pit and the girl discovered it while she was scavenging for “valuables” near the site of the roadblock.
Her family was subsequently harassed by the officers over the money.
“We would like to emphasise that where acts of corruption are reported, the organisation will swiftly descend on the culprits and sternly take appropriate measures,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.
She said the police had put in place “radial razor edged internal disciplinary measures” to end corruption.
The police spokesperson said any proven acts of misconduct involving dishonesty will result in instant dismissal of members.
“The upshot and summary of measures is that the organisation will not put any acts of misconduct involving dishonesty on a scale before dismissal. Let it be said that consented siege on acts of indiscipline and mal-performance will be evident as the implementation of the new disciplinary measures take root,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.
She challenged the media to report factually saying the story in the private media was full of exaggerations, adding that some sections of the media deliberately ignored strides the police are making to fight crime.
“It is ridiculous to note that certain media houses allege that the police do not act on corruption while at the same time in the same article they acknowledge that the police are dealing decisively with acts of corruption by arresting perpetrators of crime,” she said.
“The same article actually cites cases where police have arrested two officers caught on the wrong side of the law. The question is, who has arrested those police officers, is it the media?”
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the case referred to by the papers was already under investigation.
On a call by the Parliamentarians Against Corruption Zimbabwe Charter for the force to deal decisively with corruption in its ranks, she said police had instituted its ways of dealing with errant officers.
Online Reporter