Junior police officers across Zimbabwe accuse their supervisors of stealing food meant for all staff members. The officers demand action from Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba to stop the theft. Government officials restarted police station cafeterias earlier this year to feed officers proper meals. Officials hoped well-fed police would stop taking bribes to buy food. Senior officers now take rice, sugar, potatoes, cooking oil and eggs home to their families instead.
Officers from Harare Metropolitan province report widespread theft throughout police ranks. Each supervisor takes food supplies and leaves lower-ranking staff without meals. The theft happens because food deliveries arrive at different times and amounts each month. Senior officers claim they take only extra supplies but junior staff say this leaves them hungry. Some supervisors force junior officers to carry stolen food to their cars.
One anonymous officer described how supervisors order subordinates to load cooking oil boxes into personal vehicles. These same supervisors sometimes give bread to helpers since bread arrives frequently. Officers cannot question direct orders from their superiors. Many junior staff members assist with theft because they fear punishment for refusing.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said his department has not received theft reports. Nyathi promised to arrest any officer caught stealing food rations. He called the practice theft from every police officer and demanded specific information about wrongdoing. The spokesperson said both junior and senior officers face arrest if caught misusing welfare supplies.
Officers from Harare Metropolitan province report widespread theft throughout police ranks. Each supervisor takes food supplies and leaves lower-ranking staff without meals. The theft happens because food deliveries arrive at different times and amounts each month. Senior officers claim they take only extra supplies but junior staff say this leaves them hungry. Some supervisors force junior officers to carry stolen food to their cars.
One anonymous officer described how supervisors order subordinates to load cooking oil boxes into personal vehicles. These same supervisors sometimes give bread to helpers since bread arrives frequently. Officers cannot question direct orders from their superiors. Many junior staff members assist with theft because they fear punishment for refusing.
Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said his department has not received theft reports. Nyathi promised to arrest any officer caught stealing food rations. He called the practice theft from every police officer and demanded specific information about wrongdoing. The spokesperson said both junior and senior officers face arrest if caught misusing welfare supplies.
