THE officer-in-charge of Hwange Police Station, Chief
Inspector Samuel Tadzaushe, who is set to go on retirement today, has
approached the High Court challenging the decision by police
Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga to turn down this application for extension
of service.
Chief Insp Tadzaushe, who has reached pensionable age of
50, said the rejection of his application for extension of service lacked merit
and accuses his immediate boss, the officer commanding ZRP Matabeleland North,
Assistant Commissioner Frederick Mbengwa of abuse of power and begrudging the
success he has achieved in the police force as a hardworking cop.
Chief Insp Tadzaushe said Police Commissioner-General
Godwin Matanga’s decision followed malicious recommendations by Ass Comm
Mbengwa.
He said in arriving at the decision to retire him, his
bosses failed to take into consideration his personal socio-economic
circumstances in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Insp Tadzaushe, through his lawyers Hove and
Associates Legal Practitioners, filed an application for review at the Bulawayo
High Court citing Comm-Gen Matanga, Chief Staff Officer in charge of human
resources and administration Patson Nyabadza and Asst Comm Mbengwa as
respondents.
He wants an order nullifying Comm-Gen Matanga’s decision to
reject his application for extension of service.
In his founding affidavit, Chief Insp Tadzaushe said in the
absence of personal hatred, he meets all the qualifications warranting
extension of service.
“I feel that my superiors should have considered and
approved my application for extension of service because I have always been
rated above average at annual inspections as an officer-in-charge at various
stations. The fact that I do not have any conviction in terms of the Police Act
Code of Discipline and that I have never been convicted of any criminal offence
should have been considered,” he said.
“The fact that we are in serious situation of Covid-19
pandemic which has social and economic hardships should also have been
considered. I have not reached the age of 55 years which under normal
circumstances is the required age for a member not to be considered for
extension of service.”
Chief Insp Tadzaushe wants Comm-Gen Matanga to be directed
to reinstate him with full salary and benefits.
Last year, Chief Insp Tadzaushe who was then
officer-in-charge of Tsholotsho Police Station, made headline on
allegations of extortion, taking bribes, abuse of office and also
harassment of subordinates among a number of complaints by the
subordinates.
He was also accused of being part of a cartel that
antagonised a Chinese investor who intended to set up a sawmill in the
district until they gave up.
Chief Insp Tadzaushe was also alleged to be selling fuel
on the black market, where he forced junior officers to sell the
commodity on his behalf. He was also alleged to have
harassed female officers by attending parade wearing shorts.
The respondents are yet to respond. Chronicle
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