Police officers are currently undergoing training dubbed
civic education where Zanu PF leaders will be conscientising the cops on the
party’s ideology, pleading with them to vote for the ruling party.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul
Nyathi confirmed the training but professed ignorance of Zanu PF’s involvement.
“I can confirm that the police are undergoing [civic
education] training,” Nyathi said. But as to the allegations [that Zanu PF is
facilitating], I am not aware,” Nyathi said.
Yesterday police officers from various provinces spent the
day attending the “training” programme in Murehwa and Chivhu in Mashonaland
East province, with the ruling party promising to improve their welfare if it
wins this year’s general elections.
Other provinces are set to hold similar trainings.
Zanu PF officials, who were accompanied by police
commissioners and superintendents, castigated some police officers for “selling
out” and supporting the opposition.
NewsDay is in possession of audios of snippets of the
training, leaked by police sources in which the cops were singing ruling party
songs and chanting its slogans.
However, the training has sparked outrage among junior cops
who claimed that they were being “used”.
Officers, who were on leave, even on medical grounds, were
recalled for the training, the sources said.
“We have been given strict orders to ensure that everyone
attends the meeting,” a high-ranking cop told NewsDay on condition of anonymity.
“But it is not only the junior cops who are discontented
over the training and other issues. Even some high-ranking officials are not
happy about how police work has been reduced to mere politicking. Behind the
scenes, everything is not well. The officers are disgruntled.”
According to documents shown to NewsDay, the training was scheduled to start
at 8 o’clock in the morning, ending at 4:30pm.
But the police officers were ordered to report at the venue
an hour earlier to ensure that every officer was present before the training
began.
The message read: “Good afternoon station admins, may all
members coming for the civic education workshop be at the venue by 0700 hours
tomorrow morning. Please advise your members that no cellphones are going to be
allowed during the workshop. Officers-in-charge at (police stations named) make
sure you arrive before 7am. Let’s all be punctual as usual.”
However, police officers reacted angrily to the message,
accusing high-ranking officials of using them for their own benefit.
Junior police officers are often regarded as foot soldiers
at government’s beck and call, but they decry that their welfare is being
neglected.
Police officers are among the least-paid government workers
and have threatened a protest vote against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s
government in the upcoming elections.
A message posted by a police officer on one of their
WhatsApp groups read: “They (the chefs) get cars, hefty salaries, they live in
mansions apa basa ravo ndere kuco-ordinator vopa maorders chete (their job is
only to co-ordinate and give orders) What about us? We get a $200 dollars
salary and roam around streets each day whole in an empty stomach. Zvimwe
zvinoda kushandisa brain (Some of these issues need critical thinking).”
Police have been in the spotlight over allegations of
selective application of the law in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party, while
stifling opposition freedoms.
On several occasions, police have reportedly beaten,
arrested and harassed opposition members and blocked opposition gatherings and
political rallies meant to garner support ahead of the upcoming general
elections.
Political analyst Eldred Masunugure said: “If it is really
happening that police are under Zanu PF training, it is unconstitutional. It is
up to the affected stakeholders to challenge that in the court of law. It is
clear-cut political interference. Political parties, watchdogs, or prospective
candidates should challenge that. That is an (un)ambiguous abuse of the
Constitution.” Newsday
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