We’re simply doing our job: ZRP

Tichaona Zindoga The Interview
SENIOR Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations) responds (via email) to questions sent by our Senior Political Writer Tichaona Zindoga about the running battles between police and kombi drivers that recently claimed the life of four-year-old Tanatswa Neil Mutyora.
TZ: In light of the seemingly never-ending disturbances in the city involving police and kombis, is the ZRP not losing the war, as kombis continue to cause mayhem in the CBD and what is being done to bring finality to the issue?
CC: Which war are you talking about, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is dealing with the lawlessness that is being exhibited by the commuter omnibus drivers. The police will employ all legal means to weed out rowdy commuter omnibus drivers.

TZ: Why have we not seen a sustained campaign or blitz on kombis?
CC: The police have carried out traffic campaigns and will continue with such campaigns though some commuter omnibuses are not taking heed of the campaigns.

TZ: Questions have arisen as to how vehicles that lack proper documentation or those that are visibly unroadworthy continue to operate. Are fines prudent or deterrent enough?
CC: This is why the police are pursuing those vehicles. The issue of fines is not our area. They need to be increased by the relevant authorities to make them deterrent. The ZRP’s role is only to enforce the laws of the country.

TZ: There are allegations of rampant corruption and acceptance of bribes within traffic police officers that has seen unroadworthy public transporters plying our roads. What is being done to ensure that all those bad apples are removed from the force?
CC: We have spoken many times about corruption. It takes two people for corruption to take place. Those police members caught on the wrong side of the law are dismissed. We have an open policy on our investigations, and those who have got enough evidence that our police officers are engaging in corrupt activities should come forward and make police reports.

TZ: Why do police not impound defective vehicles, which are in the majority?
CC: The Zimbabwe Republic Police is impounding all defective and unroadworthy vehicles that are caught on our roads.

TZ: Observers say kombi operators have lost respect for the institution of police. What is your comment?
CC: You can ask that question to those people. The ZRP is vested with constitutional powers to investigate and arrest all those who violate the laws of the country and as such ZRP will not be deterred by such accusations or comments.

TZ: Are the police well equipped to handle traffic matters in their totality?
CC: What type of equipment are you talking about?

TZ: Is ZRP considering a change of tactics, now that some tactics are increasingly claiming collateral on innocent lives?
CC: What tactics? Police are using legal means in policing our roads. We do not use unorthodox means to police our roads.