A TOP Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) official has been
fingered in a well-orchestrated police corruption scam by a subordinate who has
since been granted protection by the High Court after exposing the alleged
dirty deals.
Assistant Commissioner Clever Macheka’s alleged shenanigans
were exposed when Assistant Inspector Mutindi approached the High Court
challenging his unlawful transfer after denouncing the habit of extorting
suspects at police stations for the top cop’s benefit.
Mutindi dragged the chief staff officer human resources
(PGHQ) and police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to court after he was
unceremoniously transferred from Hatfield Police Station to four other stations
within a 13-month period.
“My question is how many I/C Crimes are being abused, but
are silent for fear of victimisation and how are we going to curb corruption
when senior officers are sending members to get money for their benefit? This
is typical of the old dispensation,” Mutindi said.
“Surely even if Assistant Commissioner Macheka would want
to extort money from members can someone transfer a member to four stations
within 13 months? It is glaringly clear that he is abusing his office for
selfish reasons and if left unchallenged, he would abuse more and corruption
would be perpetrated infinitely.”
Mutindi’s matter was on Wednesday brought before High Court
judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero, who ruled in his favour and slapped the chief
staff officer human resources (PGHQ) with costs. Mutindi had submitted through
his lawyer, Norman Mugiya, that his transfers were meant to induce him to
resign because he had refused to be part of a corrupt police force.
“The four transfers of the applicant (Mutindi) at the
instance of the first respondent (chief staff officer human resources (PGHQ))
be and are hereby declared to be unlawful and wrongful and accordingly set
aside,” Justice Chikowero ruled.
“The first respondent is ordered to allow the applicant to
remain stationed at ZRP Chitungwiza until and unless a transfer is to be
initiated in terms of the law and a proper notice and the provision of all
payable allowances is made. The first respondent is ordered to pay costs.”
According to court papers, Mutindi was initially stationed
at Hatfield Police Station, transferred to St Mary’s and hardly four months
later, was moved to ZRP Chitungwiza and later to Waterfalls Police Station
without any reasons.
“What I discovered is that these harassing transfers were
doctored by Assistant Commissioner Clever Macheka after I refused to be
pressured to comply to his unlawful demands of extorting accused persons at ZRP
St Mary’s and give him cash in order to buy favour with him,” Mutindi said.
“When I refused to co-operate with the said Assistant
Commissioner Macheka he told me that I would pay for it and he would not rest
until I am transferred to a fixing station or to be frustrated until I leave
the organisation. I refused to budge, hence the reason why I am now suffering.”
Mutindi added: “When I refused to do what is clearly
unlawful he then decided to use his influence to fix me as he is now doing.
Consistent with his promise to fix me, I was transferred from ZRP St Mary’s to
ZRP Chitungwiza administration within two weeks and he told Chief Inspector
Mutabvuka never to allow me anywhere near the crime division”. Newsday
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