Unprecedented shake-up at Police Headquarters

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has carried out massive transfers and redeployment of senior officers at Police General Headquarters in what the force described as part of improving "effectiveness" in law enforcement.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the transfers in an interview with The Herald.

She said there was nothing untoward about the redeployment of senior staff.

"Yes, I can confirm those transfers have been effected as from 9th November 2015. There is nothing unusual about these transfers as the ZRP undertakes routine transfers as a way of strengthening the operational effectiveness of the organisation. Some of these transfers have been necessitated by vacancies which were created due to retirements," she said.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said contrary to assertions that the Legal Services Department had been hardest hit by the transfers, it had in fact been strengthened and the "movements are mostly internal".

"The new director of the Legal Services Department, Senior Assistant Commissioner Eve Mlilo holds a Masters Degree in Law and she brings in a new dimension. The transfers are also meant to strengthen the Bulawayo Legal Department where we have lost numerous legal cases, some of them due to default judgments, hence the transfer of an experienced Assistant Commissioner Chivhayo," added Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

"As for the Support Unit, Senior Assistant Commissioner Guvamombe recently acquired a Doctorate Degree in Administration, hence the posting is in line with her new qualification. These transfers are based on our promotion and transfer policy and there is really no need to disclose the specific details on why we effect transfers."

Snr Ass Com Charamba said the transfers were routinely conducted when need arose.

The list of transfers in a document from the deputy commissioner general, human resources' office and sent to all police stations states: "The following transfers have been approved and should be implemented immediately – Senior Assistant Commissioner Guvamombe A, from Police General Headquarters (PGHQ) Crime to Support Unit as Officer Commanding. Senior Assistant Commissioner T.B Mhiripiri from PGHQ Legal Services to PGHQ Crime as Chief Staff Officer."

Also moved from the PGHQ Legal Services is Assistant Commissioner N Chivhayo.

Assistant Commissioner Chivhayo has been transfered to provincial legal services (Bulawayo).

His jurisdiction covers Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.

Senior Assistant Commissioner E. Mlilo has been transferred from Depot to director, Legal Services while Senior Assistant Commissioner M Taedzerwa has been moved from Support Unit to Depot as Commandant Depot.

Assistant Commissioner W. Marecha has been moved from Bulawayo to PGHQ Legal Services unit as Deputy Director (crime).

Chief Superintendent A. Mashinda moves from PGHQ Legal Services to Depot as Legal Officer (Depot and Head Law Training).

Also redeployed are; Assistant Commissioner S Thethe, who has been moved from PGHQ (Internal Investigations) to National Traffic as Assistant Commissioner (Operations) while Assistant Commissioner B Dube has been shifted from National Traffic to Support Unit ,Southern Region, as Assistant Commissioner (Operations).

Assistant Commissioner P Sande has been moved from PGHQ (Administration) to National Anti-Stock Theft as Assistant Commissioner (Operations) while Assistant Commissioner S Chiwoko is now with the Support Unit as Assistant Commissioner (Administration) moving from National Anti-Stock Theft.

According to the document, Assistant Commissioner C Mushore remains as Support Unit Assistant Commissioner (Operations) while Assistant Commissioner S Dube moves from Support Unit, Southern Region, to Internal Investigations as Senior Staff Officer.

Assistant Commissioner H Musiiwa has been transferred from Quartermaster to Midlands as Assistant Commissioner (Operations) with effect from November 15.

The notice further announces the redeployment of Assistant Commissioner J Khumalo from Support Unit to National Anti-Stock Theft as Assistant Commissioner (Administration) while Assistant Commissioner T Nyazema has been moved from Harare to Quartermaster as Senior Staff Officer (Construction).

Chief Superintendent M Chikunguru has been moved from National Traffic to Harare Province as Acting Assistant Commissioner (Crime) while Chief Superintendent Z Mupini has been moved from National Traffic to PGHQ as Acting Senior Staff Officer (Administration).