Policeman still constable 33 years after joining force

Shock as gripped the rank and file of the Zimbabwean police following  revelations that one of its officers is still a constable 33 years after joining the force.

Constable Edson Masara joined the police force in 1979, a year before the country's Independence and to date has not been promoted to any rank.

The matter has reportedly shocked many senior officers in the force with police chief of staff Commissioner Oliver Chipage saying they would act to rectify Masara's situation.

"Something has to be done for this man," said Chipage when Shurugwi Police Station where Masara is based.

Masara said he was always transferred from various police stations when he was due for promotion.

He has been stationed at a number of police stations in Matabeleland including, Lupane, Tsholotsho, Beitbridge, Binga and in 2010 was posted to Shurugwi in the Midlands Province.

"In 2010, when I was stationed at Beitbridge, my supervisor had recommended that I be promoted to the rank of sergeant but unfortunately we were both transferred before the promotion could be effected," said Masara.

"In other stations, I was also transferred every time I was due for promotion and my new station commanders would say they were not in a position to promote me because they did not know me."

Masara has two children aged 21 and 18 years.