Minister of Home Affairs, Obert Mpofu has pledged to clean out the rot within the police force while committing to deal with the number of roadblocks on the country’s roads.
Mpofu, who refused to comment on the war between vendors and the police, was speaking to 263Chat after the swearing in ceremony at State House yesterday.
He confirmed receiving numerous complaints with regards to misconduct within the police force, which he said will be addressed immediately.
“I have received complaints already with regards to the misconduct and cases of corruption in the force. The behaviors of some of our officers needs to be addressed. This is a people’s force and as such needs to behave in an orderly manner and we need to maintain law and order.
“So on top of my to do list is to address the issue of corruption ,roadblocks and several issues that the people have been complaining about. But I am going to do it in a manner that will not destabilize or create discomfort in the nation,” said Mpofu, who ironically, according to the general public’s perception, is a corrupt individual, who amassed wealth in an unorthodox manner
He said he will be approaching the Ministry of Finance to bankroll some police activities which have been on hold due to lack of financial support.
His comments come in the wake of several complaints by the public over the mushrooming number of roadblocks on the country’s highway.
Complaints over the ever-increasing number of roadblocks and the extortionist tendency of officers manning police checkpoints is well documented.
The complaints have come from a diverse section of the public among them motorists, passengers, tourists, tourism players and business organisations.
Legislators and some government officials have also added their voice.
Most complaints, though, have largely fallen on deaf ears, except for a few occasions when senior officers have promised to take corrective action only to backtrack.
