By Tinoonga Mawere, Masvingo|Overzealous police offciers stormed Jazire Shopping Centre in Rujeko suburb on Friday threatening to attack vendors and nearby residents over the sex shebeen story published by ZimEye.com last week.
Shocked vendors and residents said about 5 cops stormed the place, ransacked the area and demanded to see the cellphones used by the vendors -searching for information.
The police in Zimbabwe have been accused of exercising their duties in a partisan manner and the sex shebeen story has exposed clandestine activities being carried out by the some of the cops.
“There are about 5 police officers who came here and demanded to know who disclosed the sex shebeen information. They searched our cellphones and warned us not to tarnish the image of the police. They said they said we must not stick our noses into police affairs.
“They also threatened to take some of us for questioning. They are desperate to conceal the story,” said a Rujeko resident who spoke to ZimEye.com yesterday.
Another ZRP officer was also heard by ZimEye.com quizzing some vendors over the story:”You must tell us who disclosed the information -otherwise you will be in trouble.Why are you starting a war against us? What if the people who drink the beer in there buy it elsewhere?,” they said.
While the police are tormenting innocent vendors and residents, they have not be as much enthusiastic when dealing with souring crime in the neighbourhood. In some instances the police have been accused of relaxing while the crime rate continues to rise.
Police have also watched while rogue elements -some of them who boast of having intricate deals with the law enforcement agents -walk scot- free in the community.