Terrence Mawawa| Chirumhanzu |ZRP cops here have been sitting on 11 cases of stock theft -since 2008, for fear of being exposed, it has emerged. In an incident that mirrors rampant corruption in the troubled force, ZRP cops in Chirumhanzu have been sitting on the stock theft cases involving known Zanu PF activist, Chief Chirumhanzu, whose real name is Gerald Mudzengi.
Complainants in the cases revealed to ZimEye.com that the police were working in cahoots with the Chief in the racket. It is understood out of the 11 cases only two dockets have been opened in a deliberate attempt to sweep the cases under the carpet. At least 26 cattle were stolen from farms near Mvuma.
Local farmers said the police were determined to protect Chief Chirumhanzu because of their active involvement in the stock theft cases. “We are surprised by the police’s reluctance to act on 11 cases of stock theft involving Chief Chirumhanzu. The police are sitting on the cases and they have opened only two dockets out of the 11 cases.”
The police officers in Chirumhanzu are unwilling to take the cases to court for fear of being implicated but we will continue to pursue the cases. The police are wary of the cases because they will be caught up in the process,”said a local farmer. National Police spokesperson Charity Charamba said, “I have not been told about the case, I will conduct some investigations.”