This week's issues
| The ‘warlord’ at police HQ |
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| Written by Editor |
| Friday, 05 February 2010 16:40 |
 The demand by Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri (pictured) that the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) should cough up nearly US$3 million for police protection during its outreach exercise should be proof to all just why we need a new constitution. We need a new governance charter that restores power back where it belongs – in the hands of the people. That a police commissioner would so brazenly play warlord with Parliament, hawking security and protection services to the people’s representatives for cash is probably the clearest example of how President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) – yes, they are ultimately responsible – long ditched legality and constitutionality. The COPAC wants the police to escort its teams during the exercise to consult Zimbabweans on the new constitution. This is exactly the kind of duty that the present Constitution, defective as it is, requires Chihuri and the police to perform. It is also the kind of work for which taxpayers pay him and his officers salaries at the end of the month. But he will not do it, not unless he is paid -- and preferably upfront! He will not do it because he does not believe he is answerable to the power behind COPAC, Parliament. Chihuri will not provide the escort services as expected of him under the Constitution because he and his colleagues in the security establishment clearly believe they are above that document. What Chihuri will do for free is arresting university students and mothers from Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) protesting against worsening living conditions. What Chihuri considers his constitutional duty is sending police assaulting and shooting poor diamond panners at Chiadzwa. We believe nothing better illustrates the need for a new constitution than the Police Commissioner General’s behaviour! We need a new system of governance where Zimbabweans will never again be subjected to the whims of warlords and common thugs masquerading as law enforcement officers. The army, police and other state security arms need extensive surgery to transform them into professional, politically neutral forces at the service of the people not individual political leaders. There will be stiff resistance every step of the way from people like Chihuri and the Zanu (PF) mobs waiting to pounce on COPAC outreach teams should they turn up in the villages without police cover. But for the sake of our children’s future we cannot allow Chihuri and his associates to stand in the way of constitutional reform. We live it in your hands Zimbabweans! |
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