The junior
cops, who spoke to NewsDay, called for Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba’s
intervention to ensure accountability in the distribution of rations.
Early this
year, the government revived canteens at police stations, providing officers
with lavish meals, including breakfast comprising fried eggs and lunch
including meat.
Police officers
welcomed the move, saying it will curb corruption given that they will be well
fed obviating the to need to solicit for bribes to get cash to buy food.
But they claim
that instead of enjoying these benefits, officers are reportedly going hungry
as senior officials allegedly divert and sell food supplies meant for them.
According to
junior cops, mainly from Harare Metropolitan province, who spoke to NewsDay,
their seniors assume the supplies are in abundance, hence they will be selling
the supposed surplus.
Some senior
officers are also allegedly taking rice, sugar, potatoes, cooking oil and eggs
home to their families, depriving junior officers of the privilege.
They also
alleged that the leakages are rampant throughout the ranks, as each of the
bosses takes their loot and low-ranking cops end up not benefiting from the
programme as intended.
The junior
officers claim that leakages are rampant due to inconsistencies in supplies,
which are often erratic, making it difficult to track and account for the food.
“The theft is
becoming uncontrollable,” said a junior cop who requested anonymity.
“The food
supplies don’t come all at once. They come in batches and there will be in
different quantities every month on different dates. The bosses take advantage
of that and take some for personal use, claiming it’s surplus. It’s hard to
keep track and even harder to speak out against it.”
Some police
officers said they were coerced to assist their bosses to steal.
“A boss just
gives you a directive to carry a box of cooking oil to their car and you cannot
question a boss,” the officer said.
“They, in turn,
can reward you with a loaf of bread because bread comes in large quantities
such that on some days, two people can share a loaf or an individual can get
one.”
However,
national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the force had not
received such reports. He said officers implicated in the stealing of food
rations would be arrested.
“If there are
any police officers, whether junior or senior officers in Harare province who
are selling or misusing rations which are meant for the welfare of officers
they deserve to be arrested,” Nyathi said.
“We want the
information on what is happening, and definitely, the offenders will be
arrested. They are stealing from every cop, and they must be identified and
arrested.” Newsday
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