Politics and Policing

Hello all,

I was considering policing and politics today - a very pertinent subject at this point in time. And it occurred to me that I stray very close to being "political" in my postings. I imaging that this is not without reason, but wrong nevertheless.
The Police Act (Cap 11:10) spells out quite clearly how police officers should approach their political beliefs, but I remember the lectures from my Depot days, where it was clearly explained. Basically a member of the force is entitled to attend any political meeting he/she wishes to when off duty, although not in uniform. He/she may listen to the address and, without identifying oneself as an officer, ask questions during the meeting. An officer may not address the meeting, nor take part nor hold any office in a political party. When in uniform and required to, as part of his/her duties, an officer may be present at a political meeting, but may not address the persons assembled, unless in the course of their duties, i.e. for safety or crowd disbursement requirements.
A police officer is not permitted to declare his or her political affiliations during the course of their duties nor make any statement related to his or her personal views or beliefs.

So I need to be quite circumspect in my approach to this blog. However, given that the law has been broken by the so-called Commissioner of Police and many of his deputies, given that it is largely considered that Mugabe and his junta are illegal, what credible right do they have to be in judgement of any of this? I would not be any better, however, if I indulged in political commentary myself and, therefore, will endeavour not to do so. I do, however, feel it correct for me to comment on the current situation as these would be my judgements as an officer. I f I were given the opportunity to make arrests related to the current behaviour of the various persons involved, these would be the judgements I would have to make and these would be the cases I would have to build in order to bring charges and prosecute the individuals in a court of law.

I have today, again been browsing the government website - in particular - the ZRPolice page. Like everything from Zim, it took forever to load!

I imagine that history is always written by the victors, but there are one or two statements in this published history which are news to me. In fact, I am unable to verify them one way or another and would welcome anyone who is able to cast any light, with some degree of proof, on this. It is stated:

The primary role of the black contigent, then known as the Black watchers, was to do all the manual dirty work considered unsuitable for the white superior race such as foot patrols, escorting sick horses on foot to the vet in then Salisbury, the capital city sometimes walking more than 300 kilometres. Under the supervision of the white officers, the Black watchers were also tasked to perform other barbaric acts like beating up and burning the houses of fellow blacks accused of having disobeyed the white man's rule.

Were the early pioneer police involved in acts that are described above? Is this an edited view taken out of context? I would really welcome any information. Are foot patrols, a basic tenant of policing, considered unsuitable for police officers? I wonder, since a great many of the forces vehicles have been destroyed, does that mean policing should stop, because foot patrols are "manual dirty work"?????

It goes on to state:

During the period of the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Southern Rhodesia and Unilateral Declaration of Independence the police went through a number of changes due to socio-economic demands. The police was never disbanded but political changes usually compromised the standards of professional policing.

As much many who served during these times may vehemently deny this, there may be an argument to support this assertion in that, in many ways, a white persons' word may well have over ridden anything a black may have said. I doubt it was anything as pronounced as the lack of professionalism being displayed today and in recent years.

In 1980, Zimbabwe attained independence and the police force changed its name to the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Section 93 (1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution mandated the restructuring of the police force on professional lines as to provide the best service possible to earn the total satisfaction, confidence and support of the public.

Well, that has failed dismally hasn't it? I think what they mean is the total satisfaction, confidence and support of ZANU-PF and Mugabe. The police force has become a virtual arm of a political party and, in this light, the previous statement about compromising professional standards of policing is ridiculous!

Although the new look police force was formed with an amalgamation of the former British South Africa Police, The Zimbabwe National Liberation Army (ZANLA), Zimbabwe Peoples' Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) cadres and new civilian recruits, it has strived to maintain the professionalism, consistence and vibrancy required of a standard modern police force.

Again, a complete failure - professionalism? Can this possibly be maintained by a Commissioner who clearly has, as part of the much vaunted JOC, carried out a virtual coup and serves only the interest of the ZANU-PF elite. Can this possibly be maintained by a Commissioner who should be suspended for his own contraventions of the Police Act and should be under investigation for these allegations? Can this possibly be maintained by Officers who have forced their sub-ordinates to vote in front of them and then brought retribution on those who do not toe the party line?

Is it not sad to note that former Commissioner Widzirai Nguruve was forced to resign amid allegations of corruption, and now Chihuri is also in a position where he faces arrest? The rot starts at the top and needs to be cut out from there. I wonder, however, how possible this will be or how it will play out?

I have, on several occasions had the opportunity to meet a number of these officers of great rank and office and I have to say, the reek of corruption is tangible in their offices. The so-called Deputy Commissioners are also in this tank of political corruption, in fact, I wonder how far down the ranks one has to come to actually start finding professional officers who could be relied upon to help steer the force out of this morass? Mind you, so many of the real and professional officers will not be found in high office because it quite clear that in the ZRP of today, it is very difficult to climb the ranks on merit or ability - you have to first be loyal to ZANU-PF, then to those who are above you, are corrupt and in control of your career!

Later.