Chihuri sacks cops over misconduct

Police commissioner Augustine Chihuri has dismissed from the force three police officers based at Zaka police station in Masvingo after they were allegedly involved in criminal activities.

The dismissal of the three comes amid reports that scores of police officers countrywide have been dismissed from the force this year after being found guilty of cases of misconduct by the police disciplinary committee.

Sergeant Darlis Mataramvura and constables Casper Katiyo and Andrew Muza were ordered to pack their bags and leave Zaka police station last month for tarnishing the image of the force.

Mataramvura was allegedly sacked after he stole a pack of cigarettes at the OK supermarket. The committee found him guilty of misconduct but the police officer appealed against the ruling. His appeal was later thrown out.

Casper Katiyo was this year charged with theft and was later convicted of misconduct. Muza was dismissed after he slept with a minor and was convicted of statutory rape. He was ordered to pay a fine and was subsequently charged with misconduct.

Senior police officers in Masvingo confirmed the dismissals, which come at a time when at least 15 police officers in Masvingo province alone are allegedly under being investigated for misconduct.

Highly placed sources within the police said that the probe would include even high-ranking senior officers.

Indiscipline is allegedly rampant within the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the force also has a bad human rights record.

Last month, three rural women from Chiredzi took the force to court after they claimed they were ill-treated while in police custody. They said they were ordered to expose their private parts.