Jane Mlambo| Police yesterday refused to open a docket in a case in which a Harare resident, Alice Kasinamunda sought to file criminal charges against City of Harare officials implicated in attempts to swindle Econet Wireless by inflating figures of goods procured towards combating the cholera outbreak.

According to Community Water Alliance (CWA), an organization behind the move, Kasinamunda was referred from one officer to another, in a manner that is clearly meant to frustrate her.

“Out of the six police officers to which Alice was referred, not even one of them accepted opening a docket.

Instead of getting assistance Alice had to endure unnecessary questions like: are you a council employee? and are you a worker at Econet?. They were ready to interrogate her on what is your interest,” noted CWA.

The organization noted that Kasinamunda’s case warranted action by the Zimbabwe Republic Police as it clearly demonstrated that there is a primafacie case, there is a reasonable suspicion that the accused persons committed the crime.

CWA condemned City of Harare for its move to suspend despite there being enough evidence to prosecute the accused.

”The action by the Local Authority to suspend the accused, shows reasonable suspicion.

“This case has evidence that the court can rely upon. Although there is dispute on whether the charge of gloves was inflated to $65, there is evidence that it was pegged above $30 instead of a mere $3. Receipts to that effect are there. The actions by the accused show a clear case of fraud, which is a crime. These facts make CWA believe that Alice had a case that the state should have acted upon,” added CWA.

“Alice Kasinamunda’s treatment casts doubt on the commitment of the Executive ( the police being part of the Executive Arm of the State) to fight graft. It places in jeopardy even any policy pronouncement by councilors to fight graft,” further noted CWA.