News / National
Traffic cops sacked over bribes
02 Dec 2012 at 05:11hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has sacked four police officers and suspended 20 others from its traffic department as it steps up efforts to fight corruption within the force. Officer commanding police traffic Assistant Commissioner Kenny Mtombeni last week disclosed that over 30 police officers have been nabbed for allegedly engaging in corrupt activities since the beginning of the year.
Speaking on the sidelines of an end of year party for senior traffic police officers in Domboshawa last week, Ass Comm Mtombeni noted that the number of those dismissed could shoot up within the coming weeks as disciplinary proceedings against the suspended officers are concluded.
"This year alone 30 police officers from our traffic section have been arrested for corruption, four have been dismissed, another four were acquitted due to lack of evidence while 20 are on suspension pending finalisation of the ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
"The arrest and dismissal of traffic police officers on allegations of receiving or demanding bribes is a strong message to would be offenders that action will be taken against people who want to tarnish the image of our force," he said.
Responding to a question on why it takes the ZRP several months to convict police officers implicated in corrupt activities Ass Comm Mtombeni noted that the due process has to be taken in making sure that the case is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
In a speech read on his behalf at the end of year party Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri said the force remained unwavering in nipping corruption in the bud. "Be warned that as national command, we are very much alive and cognisant of all cases of abuse of office and corruption being attributed to National Traffic details.
We are also aware of the extent to which these allegations and claims have battered the enviable corporate image of ZRP," he said. Chihuri urged traffic police officers to shun corruption and remain focused on maintaining law and order.
"Let me assure the nation that through a battery of stringent remedial measures, being adopted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we will continue to weed out rogue and corrupt elements in our midst.
"More importantly, all police officers must resist the urge to acquire dirty wealth as the tide of greed and materialism is sweeping across the social strata to entice the gullible," he said.
One of the new measures that the police are employing include the deployment of commanders charged with monitoring the behaviour of details manning roadblocks. Deputy national police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the new approach.
"We have decided to deploy traffic commanders who will be monitoring developments at all roadblocks. The ZRP has taken a zero tolerance stance towards corruption and we urge members of the public not to encourage this vice by offering bribes to police officers.
"The motoring public are warned that both the driver and the police officer caught engaging in corruption will be arrested and face the full wrath of the law," he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of an end of year party for senior traffic police officers in Domboshawa last week, Ass Comm Mtombeni noted that the number of those dismissed could shoot up within the coming weeks as disciplinary proceedings against the suspended officers are concluded.
"This year alone 30 police officers from our traffic section have been arrested for corruption, four have been dismissed, another four were acquitted due to lack of evidence while 20 are on suspension pending finalisation of the ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
"The arrest and dismissal of traffic police officers on allegations of receiving or demanding bribes is a strong message to would be offenders that action will be taken against people who want to tarnish the image of our force," he said.
Responding to a question on why it takes the ZRP several months to convict police officers implicated in corrupt activities Ass Comm Mtombeni noted that the due process has to be taken in making sure that the case is proven beyond reasonable doubt.
In a speech read on his behalf at the end of year party Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri said the force remained unwavering in nipping corruption in the bud. "Be warned that as national command, we are very much alive and cognisant of all cases of abuse of office and corruption being attributed to National Traffic details.
We are also aware of the extent to which these allegations and claims have battered the enviable corporate image of ZRP," he said. Chihuri urged traffic police officers to shun corruption and remain focused on maintaining law and order.
"Let me assure the nation that through a battery of stringent remedial measures, being adopted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we will continue to weed out rogue and corrupt elements in our midst.
"More importantly, all police officers must resist the urge to acquire dirty wealth as the tide of greed and materialism is sweeping across the social strata to entice the gullible," he said.
One of the new measures that the police are employing include the deployment of commanders charged with monitoring the behaviour of details manning roadblocks. Deputy national police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the new approach.
"We have decided to deploy traffic commanders who will be monitoring developments at all roadblocks. The ZRP has taken a zero tolerance stance towards corruption and we urge members of the public not to encourage this vice by offering bribes to police officers.
"The motoring public are warned that both the driver and the police officer caught engaging in corruption will be arrested and face the full wrath of the law," he said.
Source - SM
