Andrew
THE moment a police officer opened the rusty door to a dingy cell, people who were lining the fence, including women with children on their backs, drew closer.
The visitors cast their eyes on the suspects as they trooped out of the enclosure.
Some of them had brought food and charms that would supposedly make cases of the accused weak and hard to prosecute.
Others simply wanted to chat with their loved ones to both appreciate what they had been arrested for and map the way forward.
Welcome to the world of the police and courts, which are frequented by people of various opinions (Povo) and religious persuasions.
Gentle reader, yours truly feels sorry for souls that work at police stations and the courts of law.
They go through a lot in an average day’s work.
Temptation is high.
Visitors to these places offer many things such as money, food, property and sex to officials.
There are actually numerous cases of police officers who are accused of bedding spouses of suspects.
Conversely, it is not unusual to see relatives or spouses inducing police officers to cut the suspect loose.
“Mukuwasha, kunze kwakaoma. Rasai kanyaya aka toona yekutamba, because, at the end of the day, you have to eat. Here is US$100. I will add more if the case is thrown away,” I saw a policeman being told straight in the face.
There are some people who ply cops with beer and many other freebies to get their way.
There are even n’angas and self-styled prophets who are now stationed at courts and police stations to accost potential clients.
Working in a police station or court of law is akin to walking in a minefield since it comes with many threats and dangers.
There are many police officers and court officials who have been assaulted, maimed and even killed while conducting their duties.
“Anoonererwa”, “ane dzungu”, “idununu” and “ibharanzi” are the common lines you hear from those with axes to grind with the police and court officials.
Did you know that simply being a police officer or a court official has its downside?
You are treated as if you have committed a crime.
Besides being ridiculed, you are also likely to become a victim of cancel culture.
“We certainly have a room to rent out, but we can’t have a police officer here. Mapurisa pano kwete.”
Even your sisters and daughters take time to get suitors become some people are reluctant to associate with the police.
It is even worse when hitch-hiking because some pirate taxi drivers will never offer lifts to police officers.
“Handitakuri munhu anondisunga. Ngonjo muvhuzhi mangu kwete,” you hear pirate taxi drivers saying.
Gentle reader, being a police officer or a court official can be challenging but somebody has to do it.
Inotambika mughetto.
Feedback: rosenthal.mutakati @zimpapers.co.zw
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