By Paul Nyathi|Former police officer Tafadzwa Gambiza who in the 2005 elections arrested now State President Emmerson Mnangagwa for electoral misconduct continues to make headlines after he got a reprieve over his unfair dismissal from the police force.
Emerging details from within the police indicate that Gambiza has been paid his terminal benefits dating back to 2008 when he was dismissed from the police after he refused to cast his vote in front of his superiors.
The highly controversial Gambiza rose to prominence when he arrested then Zanu PF Kwekwe parliamentary candidate, Mnangagwa together with his then election agent and now Local Government Minister July Moyo.
Gambiza arrested Moyo for allegedly contravening the Electoral Act after he had turned up at a polling station during voting putting on a ZANU PF campaign t-shirt with Mnangagwa’s face.
When Mnangagwa tried to interfere on Moyo’s arrest, Gambiza turned his handcuffs and arrested him too for obstructing the course of justice.
In the 2008 elections Gambiza refused to cast his vote in front of his superiors which led to his immediate dismissal from the police without benefits.
Since the time, Gambiza has been fighting unfair dismissal through his lawyers, Mhaka Attorneys.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Angeline Guvamombe Chief Staff Officer (Human Resource Administration) has advised Gambiza’s lawyers that their client has been accorded his terminal benefits and pay dating back to the time he was dismissed from the force after winning his case at the labour court.
“Your client is at liberty to approach the Office of his former Commanding Police Province who will issue him with a Certificate of Service as provided for in the relevant Police Standing orders,” wrote Assistant Commissioner Guvamombe.
“Copies of your client’s pay slips were issued to him during the period he was reinstated.
“After his discharge, your client may claim his terminal benefits to Pensions Office, Mukwati Building upon completing the appropriate Pension Refund Form.”
Gambiza is also remembered for raising a fraud and corruption case against former police commissioner August Chihuri.
The case, which was reported at Kwekwe Central Police Station was made before Chihuri was fired from his position.
Gambiza who himself had already been dismissed from the police at the time accused Chihuri of illegally printing fake spot fine books which were not prescribed at law and converting the money to his own use, paying his top officers and abusing his position for self-enrichment.
In his papers against Chihuri, Gambiza said he was aware that the matter had Cabinet approval and was debated in Parliament, but this did not make it law and Chihuri, as a law enforcer, was supposed to be competent enough not to implement illegal decisions.