By Own Correspondent| A 2017 report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has exposed widespread and pervasive corruption by the Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, particularly those managing roadblocks nationally.

The ZHRC report revealed that police details manning roadblocks were perceived by the public as perpetuating lawlessness and indiscipline.

According to the report, presented before parliament (Thursday), corruption reported at public entities and in the private sector highlighted the endemic culture of personal enrichment, political patronage and impunity which crippled service delivery across key sectors of the economy.

Said ZHRC Chairperson Commissioner Elasto Mugwadi:

“This further compromised the protection and fulfilment of human rights to ordinary Zimbabweans.”

Read the report:

“Human rights violations were committed against street vendors who were assaulted and had some of their wares confiscated by the ZRP and municipal police mainly in Harare during operations to clear the streets of vendors and during demonstrations against police heavy-handedness.

There were allegations of some of the vendors and other protesters having been tortured in detention following their arrest.

Efforts by the commission to engage the police following the completion of the Bulawayo (Burombo Flats) and Epworth reports on brutalities committed during the 2016 demonstrations were met with arrogance.”

According to the report, opposition parties appeared to struggle to offer any alternative to help alleviate the deteriorating human rights situation in the country as their calls to authorities to respect human rights went unheeded.

Read the report:

“Perennial disagreements undermined the opposition parties’ widely publicised endeavours to form a grand coalition to contest the 2018 general elections as a united front against the ruling Zanu PF party.” -Standard